Air India crash report expected today could reveal cause behind 260 deaths
The tragic crash of Air India flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which went down just 30 seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, occurred one month ago. The nation was shocked and in a desperate search for answers after the crash, which claimed 260 lives and left only one survivor.
Today, a preliminary investigation report is expected to be released, which could shed light on what caused the disaster. The flight departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 1:38 pm on June 12. Almost immediately after takeoff, the pilot issued a 'Mayday' call before the plane crashed into a medical college hostel building and exploded.
Authorities recovered the plane’s black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder — from the crash site in good condition. These devices are crucial for understanding the sequence of events that led to the accident.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing. Early reports suggest the investigation is focusing on the plane’s fuel control switches and engine thrust systems.
Both Air India and Boeing have been under intense scrutiny since the crash. However, a recent Bloomberg report indicates that investigators have found no mechanical or design faults with the aircraft or its engines.
A viral video of the crash shows the plane lifting off before suddenly losing power and crashing. Aerospace expert and former fighter pilot Bjorn Fehrm said it’s extremely rare for both engines to fail simultaneously. “The 787 Dreamliner can safely take off with one engine if needed,” he explained, calling the idea of both engines losing power at once “improbable like hell.”
Investigators are now focusing on the fuel control switches located in the cockpit, which control the engines. The plane was fully fueled for the long flight to London. Aviation safety expert John Cox told Reuters that it’s unlikely a pilot would accidentally move these switches, as they require deliberate action. If switched to ‘cutoff,’ the engines would shut down within seconds.
