Unforeseen engine shutdown suspected behind AI171 crash

A preliminary report into the catastrophic crash of Air India's Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) that killed over 260 people last month in Ahmedabad has highlighted anomalies in engine control behaviour, with no current evidence implicating pilot error—a narrative that was pushed by some sections, especially in international media.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed on 12 June 2025, just seconds after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft failed to gain altitude and struck the BJ Medical College Hostel, killing 241 onboard and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

According to the 15-page preliminary report prepared by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the crash followed the near-simultaneous shutdown of both engines.

The aircraft's flight data shows that both engine fuel control switches transitioned from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" within one second of each other during initial climb, cutting off fuel supply.

According to data retrieved from the aircraft's Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR), the aircraft reached its maximum indicated airspeed of 180 knots at 08:08:42 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) (13:38 Indian Standard Time, IST).

Immediately afterward, both fuel control switches transitioned from "RUN" to "CUTOFF"-Engine 1 first, followed by Engine 2 one second later. This caused the N1 and N2 values (engine fan and core speeds) to drop rapidly. One pilot is heard asking. "Why did you cut off?" with the other responding. "I didn't do so." The exchange has been documented by investigators as part of the cockpit voice recording and is considered significant in reconstructing the final moments. The circumstances-particularly the near-simultaneous engine shutdown and the crew's clear surprise-have brought attention to possible anomalies within the engine control systems, which are under review.

Although the flight data clearly shows that both engine fuel control switches transitioned from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" mid-air (Page 14), the switches were phys ically found in the "RUN" position in the wreckage (Page 10).