How Air India Flight 171 Crashed and Its Fatal Last Moments

A preliminary report released on Saturday has provided new details about the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, but the mystery surrounding the cause of the disaster remains unsolved. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick when it crashed on June 12, killing 229 of the 232 people on board. The report, which includes a transcript of voice recordings from the cockpit, has raised more questions than answers, particularly around the failure of the aircraft’s fuel-control switches.

While the preliminary investigation points to the fuel-control switches being cut off, it does not explain why they were turned off or assign blame for the crash. These new findings, coupled with the cockpit voice recordings, paint a confusing picture of the final moments before the aircraft went down, leaving investigators to untangle what went wrong.

What Happened on June 12?

Air India Flight 171 departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 13:38 IST (08:08 GMT) on June 12. The plane was bound for London Gatwick Airport, with 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and 2 pilots on board. The Dreamliner, which had been in service for a few years, seemed ready for a routine long-haul flight. But less than 40 seconds after takeoff, the situation took a catastrophic turn.

The engines failed, and both engines went silent during the aircraft’s initial climb. This was an unprecedented incident for the 787 Dreamliner, a model known for its fuel efficiency and modern design. It was the first time such a failure occurred in the Dreamliner series, leaving the crew with few precedents to follow in such a dire emergency.

The Crash and Its Devastating Impact

Despite the crew’s efforts to control the aircraft, the loss of both engines led to a rapid descent. The aircraft plummeted and crashed into a densely populated area just under 1.85 kilometers (approximately 1 nautical mile) from the airport runway, near the BJ Medical College hostel and adjoining structures in Ahmedabad.

The crash caused a violent fire that engulfed not just the wreckage of the plane but also parts of five nearby buildings. The destruction was extensive, and tragedy struck hard when 229 people lost their lives. Among those killed were passengers, cabin crew, and both pilots. The magnitude of the disaster has raised questions not only about the aircraft’s failure but also about safety measures and protocols that were in place during the flight.

Miraculously, there was one survivor: Vishwaskumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin. Ramesh survived the crash and has been receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the disaster. His survival has been described as nothing short of a miracle, given the catastrophic nature of the crash.

Preliminary Report: The Fuel-Control Switches

One of the most significant findings from the preliminary report is that the aircraft’s fuel-control switches were cut off. However, the investigation does not specify why the switches were disengaged or if this was intentional. Fuel-control switches play a critical role in regulating the aircraft’s engine performance, and the cut-off is often a last-resort measure in certain emergency scenarios.

The report did not assign blame or indicate that the fuel switches were the direct cause of the crash, leaving open the question of whether there was a technical fault or if human error played a role. The report also notes that there were no signs of mechanical malfunction or maintenance issues before the flight, which complicates the situation further.

At this stage, the cause behind the failure of both engines is still undetermined. While the switch malfunction might be related to a possible technical failure, the investigation is far from concluding. Experts are still trying to determine whether the cut-off switches were activated in error, by accident, or as part of an emergency protocol.

Cockpit Voice Recordings: What Did the Pilots Say?

The cockpit voice recordings have added a layer of complexity to the investigation. The last words heard from the pilots, according to the transcript, show that the crew was fully aware of the gravity of the situation but was struggling to regain control over the aircraft. The report highlights moments of confusion, with the pilots communicating in a frantic manner as the aircraft began its rapid descent.

The cockpit voice recordings revealed that there were attempts to restart the engines after the failure, but there were no signs that the pilots were able to fully control the aircraft during the final descent. The urgency in the voices of the flight crew added to the sense of panic, with the situation rapidly escalating beyond their control. The final moments before the crash were marked by a desperate attempt to avert disaster, but ultimately, they were unsuccessful.

The voice recordings also revealed that the crew did not have enough time to communicate the issue to air traffic control, adding further questions about the preparation and response protocols during the flight.

Investigation Moving Forward: What’s Next?

As the investigation continues, experts are focusing on several key factors: the failure of the fuel-control switches, the cockpit voice recordings, and the sequence of events during the plane’s rapid descent. The plane’s black boxes, which contain more detailed flight data, are also being analyzed to offer further insight into what occurred in the moments leading up to the crash.

Air India and the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have launched an in-depth investigation into the causes of the crash, with the hope of uncovering what led to such a catastrophic failure on a routine flight.

Conclusion: Unanswered Questions

The crash of Air India Flight 171 remains a devastating tragedy, and the findings of the preliminary report raise more questions than answers. The loss of both engines during takeoff and the subsequent failure to regain control have left investigators searching for answers. The discovery that the fuel-control switches were cut only deepens the mystery surrounding the incident.

With Vishwaskumar Ramesh being the sole survivor, many will be looking to him for further details about the crash. However, as the investigation continues, it is clear that much remains unknown about the cause of the crash, and many families are still waiting for answers about what happened to their loved ones aboard the doomed flight.