Air India Flight Crash in Ahmedabad: Preliminary Report Sheds Light on Catastrophic Failure

Ahmedabad: – A devastating aviation disaster unfolded on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, claiming the lives of 260 people, including 241 of the 242 passengers and crew onboard and 19 on the ground. The sole survivor, 38-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, miraculously escaped the wreckage, marking one of the deadliest air disasters in India in decades.

A preliminary report released today by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) provides critical insights into the final moments of the ill-fated flight, pointing to a possible technical failure while dismissing initial speculation of sabotage or bird strikes.

The Crash: A Timeline of Tragedy

Flight AI171, bound for London, took off from Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM local time on June 12, 2025. According to flight tracking data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 650 feet before losing signal less than a minute after takeoff. Eyewitnesses reported the plane flying unusually low before it collided with a hostel building at the Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital in the Meghaninagar area of Ahmedabad. The impact caused a massive explosion, with flames and thick plumes of smoke engulfing the site, as captured in widely circulated videos on social media.

The aircraft’s tail was found lodged on top of a building, and debris was scattered across the residential area. Four medical students residing in the hostel were among the 19 fatalities on the ground, with an additional 19 injured, according to college dean Minakshi Parikh. A mayday call was transmitted from the cockpit seconds before the crash, with the pilot reporting, “Mayday, no thrust, losing power, unable to lift,” indicating a critical loss of engine power. Air traffic controllers attempted to contact the aircraft but received no response before witnessing the crash.

Preliminary Findings: Engine Fuel Cutoff and Stabilizer Sensor Defect

The AAIB’s preliminary report, released on July 11, 2025, reveals that the crash was likely triggered by a near-simultaneous movement of the engine fuel cutoff switches from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position, starving both engines of fuel just seconds after takeoff. The report notes that the switches were flipped back to “RUN” almost immediately, and the engines began to regain power. However, the brief interruption was catastrophic, as the aircraft, already at a low altitude, could not recover in time to prevent its descent. The report explicitly states that there was no immediate evidence of sabotage or a bird strike, addressing earlier speculation fueled by Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol’s comments that all angles, including sabotage, were under investigation.

Further, the report highlights a critical detail: the aircraft’s previous crew had logged a defect report related to a stabilizer sensor earlier that day. An Air India maintenance engineer conducted troubleshooting and cleared the aircraft for flight. The stabilizer sensor issue, while not directly linked to the fuel cutoff in the report, has raised questions about the aircraft’s overall airworthiness and maintenance protocols. The AAIB noted that the Boeing 787-8, which had completed over 700 flights in the past year, showed no obvious signs of distress during takeoff, with sufficient engine power initially observed.

The deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power generator, was another key indicator of a systems failure. The RAT, which activates automatically during significant electrical or engine power loss, was operational at the time of the crash, suggesting a critical failure in the aircraft’s primary systems. This aligns with video evidence showing the landing gear in a front-wheel-down position, which is unusual post-takeoff, as pilots typically retract it to reduce drag. The extended landing gear and partially extended slats, as observed in crash footage, further point to a possible mechanical or electrical issue.

Investigation and Simulations: Probing the Cause

The AAIB, with assistance from experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Boeing, is leading the investigation. Both black boxes—the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR)—were recovered from the crash site on June 13 and 16, respectively, and their data was downloaded in India despite initial speculation that they might be sent abroad. The CVR captured a chilling exchange between the pilots, with one questioning the other about the fuel cutoff switches, only for the co-pilot to deny any action. This has sparked debate about whether the switch movement was a mechanical fault or a human error, though the AAIB has not yet drawn definitive conclusions.

Air India pilots conducted simulations in a Boeing 787 flight simulator in Mumbai a week after the crash, replicating conditions such as deployed landing gear and retracted wing flaps. These simulations indicated that these settings alone were insufficient to cause a crash, narrowing the focus to a potential dual-engine failure or electrical issue. A New York Times investigation corroborated the AAIB’s findings, noting that the absence of swerving in crash videos suggests both engines lost thrust simultaneously, a rare and catastrophic event at low altitude. The AAIB’s preliminary report, expected to be four to five pages long, includes details about the aircraft, crew, weather conditions, and airport operations but stops short of recommending immediate actions for Boeing or General Electric (GE), the manufacturer of the aircraft’s engines.

Survivor and Victims: A Tale of Loss and Resilience

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, emerged as the sole survivor of the disaster. Contrary to early reports suggesting he jumped from the plane, Ramesh testified that he was pulled from the wreckage by rescuers, surrounded by bodies and debris. His escape, captured on video, showed him stumbling away from the burning wreckage, a moment that has been widely shared on social media. Tragically, his brother, Ajay Ramesh, was among the victims. Ramesh, recently discharged from the hospital, carried his brother’s coffin in a funeral procession, a poignant image of loss amid the catastrophe.

The crash claimed 260 lives, including 241 onboard and 19 on the ground, though earlier reports cited a death toll as high as 274. Gujarat’s health department confirmed that all bodies have been identified and returned to families, with logistical and medical support provided. The tragedy has left families devastated, with neighbors describing victims as “unassuming, genuine, kind people.”

Compensation Controversy and Legal Action

The aftermath of the crash has been marred by controversy over Air India’s handling of compensation for victims’ families. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, announced Rs 1 crore (approximately £85,000 or $115,000) for each deceased passenger’s family. However, families have accused the airline of pressuring them to provide detailed financial disclosures under the threat of withholding advance compensation, a claim Air India has denied. UK-based law firm Keystone Law, representing nearly 20 British families, has criticized the airline’s actions as “ethically outrageous,” alleging that bereaved relatives were subjected to distressing conditions, including being asked to complete complex questionnaires in cramped, hot rooms without legal advice. Air India has stated it is fully cooperating with authorities and rejected these allegations, emphasizing efforts to process payments efficiently.
Legal action is mounting, with families considering lawsuits in UK and US courts. Keystone Law has raised concerns about the RAT’s deployment and the stabilizer sensor defect, suggesting a systemic failure. The firm is coordinating with Air India’s UK legal representatives and insurers to secure interim compensation while awaiting the final investigation report, which could take months.

Broader Safety Concerns and Industry Implications

The crash has intensified scrutiny of Air India’s safety record, particularly after a second incident on June 14, when another Air India flight, AI187 from Delhi to Vienna, experienced critical warnings and a 900-foot altitude loss during takeoff due to severe thunderstorm conditions. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a probe, grounding the pilots and summoning Air India’s head of safety. Industry insiders note a shift in perception, with passengers now questioning Air India’s safety despite its modernized fleet.

The disaster, the first crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011, has significant implications for Boeing and General Electric. A systemic issue could impact the dozens of airlines operating the 787 worldwide. The AAIB’s final report, expected in the coming months, will be critical in determining whether the crash resulted from a mechanical fault, human error, or an unforeseen factor.

Moving Forward: A Call for Answers

As India grapples with its worst aviation disaster in decades, the AAIB’s investigation continues, with international cooperation underscoring the global stakes. Indian lawmakers are set to review aviation safety on July 9, 2025, inviting industry and government officials to address systemic concerns. The preliminary report has provided initial clarity, but questions remain about the stabilizer sensor defect, the fuel cutoff switch anomaly, and Air India’s maintenance and safety protocols. For now, the families of the victims, the sole survivor, and the aviation community await definitive answers to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.

Air India’ssaid: “Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses.”