New Delhi, India – In the wake of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)’s preliminary AI171 crash report, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol has issued a strong cautionary statement, urging the public and media alike to refrain from drawing definitive conclusions. Speaking to mediapersons on Saturday, Mohol underscored that the preliminary document is not the final verdict and that comprehensive insights will only emerge upon the completion of the full investigation.
Understanding the Preliminary AI171 Crash Report
The preliminary AI171 crash report, released by the AAIB on Friday, delves into the tragic incident of Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, which crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. The crash resulted in the devastating loss of 260 lives, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground.
Mohol stressed the autonomous nature of the AAIB, asserting that the Ministry does not interfere in their meticulous work. “The AAIB has brought out a preliminary report. This is not the final report. Until the final report comes out, we should not arrive at any conclusion,” the MoS Civil Aviation stated, highlighting the critical need for patience and due process in such a sensitive and complex investigation.
Insights from the AI171 Crash Report and Expert Commentary
BJP MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy also offered his perspective, noting that further investigation is crucial to fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. “The AAIB report states that the aircraft took flight normally, meaning it was capable of getting airborne. The jet fuel switch was in its required position. Later, the pilots reported engine power decreasing. Further probing will bring out why the engines had ‘flamed out‘,” Rudy explained. He commended the pilots, Captain Sabharwal and his co-pilot, for their experienced attempts to relight the engines, emphasizing that the full ‘how and why’ of the situation will be determined through ongoing inquiries.
The preliminary AI171 crash report outlines a harrowing sequence of events that unfolded within a mere 90 seconds post-takeoff. Both engines of the aircraft unexpectedly shut down during the initial climb, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust and a rapid descent. Data recovered from the aircraft’s Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) revealed a critical detail: the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were inadvertently moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ within a one-second interval, moments after liftoff at a low altitude. A chilling cockpit recording captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cut off?”, to which the response was, “I did not.”
The Immediate Aftermath and Ongoing Investigations
This uncommanded shutdown triggered the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), and the aircraft began to lose altitude almost immediately, unable to sustain powered flight. The AI171 crash report indicates that the pilots attempted to re-engage the fuel switches in an effort to relight the engines. While Engine 1 showed signs of recovering thrust, Engine 2 unfortunately failed to stabilize. The aircraft, which had briefly achieved a speed of 180 knots, was already in descent and could not regain altitude. The final distress call, a “MAYDAY,” was transmitted at 08:09 UTC, just seconds before the aircraft tragically crashed into residential buildings outside the airport perimeter.
The impact caused significant structural and fire damage across five structures, including the BJ Medical College hostel. Notably, the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) did not activate. Emergency services were mobilized swiftly, arriving within five minutes of the crash, a testament to the rapid response protocols.
The MoS Civil Aviation’s call for restraint underscores the gravity and complexity of aircraft accident investigations. Such preliminary reports serve to provide initial factual information, but they are part of a larger, meticulous process designed to identify all contributing factors and ultimately prevent similar tragedies in the future. The aviation community and the affected families await the final AI171 crash report with the hope of gaining a complete understanding and closure.
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