A month after the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, a preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has confirmed that the fatal incident was triggered by a sudden and unexplained shutdown of both engines just seconds after takeoff. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed on June 12, 2025, killing 241 of 242 people onboard and at least 29 people on the ground.
Engine Shutdown After Takeoff
According to the 15-page AAIB report released on July 11, both engines of the aircraft switched from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position within a single second shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The report notes that the aircraft reached a maximum speed of 180 knots by 8:08 a.m. UTC, but both engines lost fuel supply almost immediately afterward.
While Engine 1 showed signs of partial recovery, Engine 2 failed completely. The aircraft lost thrust and was unable to maintain altitude. Despite the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) automatically activating in the final seconds to provide emergency power, the descent was rapid and uncontrollable.
Impact and Fire in Residential Area
The aircraft ultimately crashed into a medical college hostel in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad. The AAIB confirmed that the high fuel load—intended for the long-haul journey—ignited upon impact, causing a massive post-crash fire. Debris and flames resulted in additional casualties on the ground and extensive property damage.
Pilot Conversation Reveals Confusion
The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured a startling exchange between the flight crew in the final moments. One pilot asked, “Why did you cut off the engines?” to which the other replied, “I didn’t cut off, no.”
Neither Captain Sumeet Sabharwal nor First Officer Clive Kundar—both of whom perished—appeared to be aware of the engine shutdown in real time. Investigators believe the crew did not intentionally trigger the fuel cutoff, ruling out human error as a primary cause.
Technical Malfunction Suspected, but Unconfirmed
The AAIB report suggests that the sudden shutdown may have been caused by a technical malfunction, although the flight data recorder (FDR) did not show any deliberate switch activation or fault within the electrical system. The switches and cockpit controls had not been modified to allow for such a shutdown, and no evidence has emerged so far of sabotage or manual tampering.
While accidental switching has not been ruled out, the report stresses that further analysis is required before drawing conclusions.
Air India Grounds Fleet, DGCA Orders Safety Checks
This tragedy marks the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft began commercial service in 2011, and it is also one of the worst disasters in Air India’s recent history.
In response, Air India grounded 26 out of its 33 Dreamliners and reduced its international wide-body operations by 15% to facilitate safety inspections. All grounded aircraft were later cleared for flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has since mandated additional pre-flight checks on the entire Boeing 787 fleet as a precautionary measure.
Ongoing Investigation Continues
The AAIB emphasized that this is only a preliminary report, and a full investigation is still underway. Experts are continuing to examine technical data, crew performance, and potential systemic issues that may have contributed to the crash.
The final report is expected to provide definitive answers to one of the deadliest air disasters in Indian aviation history.