The tragic india plane crash involving Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025, has left the aviation world reeling, prompting intense scrutiny and expert analysis into what could have caused such a devastating incident. This flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff, claiming the lives of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, with only one miraculous survivor. As investigators from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Boeing delve deeper, several theories have emerged, ranging from mechanical failures to human factors. In this comprehensive analysis, we explore the key findings from preliminary reports, expert opinions, and ongoing debates surrounding the india plane crash.
The Sequence of Events: A Timeline of Tragedy
To understand what caused the india plane crash, it’s essential to reconstruct the final moments of Flight 171. According to the preliminary report released by the AAIB on July 12, 2025, the aircraft took off normally from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 13:39 IST. The flight was carrying 229 passengers and 12 crew members, including Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who was at the controls. Just seconds after liftoff, the plane’s enhanced airborne flight recorder (EAFR) indicated that the fuel control switches for both engines were moved from the “RUN” position to “CUTOFF.” This action halted fuel flow to the General Electric GEnx-1B70 engines, leading to a loss of thrust.
The switches were reportedly flipped back to “RUN” approximately 10 seconds later, but by then, the engines had flamed out. Without sufficient altitude or airspeed to restart and regain thrust, the aircraft stalled and plummeted into a residential building in Ahmedabad’s urban area. Eyewitness videos captured the plane banking sharply before impact, with no visible signs of fire or explosion prior to the crash. The wreckage scattered across a wide area, complicating recovery efforts and highlighting the force of the collision.
This sequence raises immediate questions: Was this a mechanical malfunction, a pilot error, or something more sinister? Experts like former NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt have pointed out that the data suggests the issue was not with the airplane or engines themselves, but rather an interruption in fuel supply. “Did somebody deliberately shut down the fuel, or was it somehow an inadvertent slip?” Sumwalt queried in a CBS interview, fueling speculation about human involvement.
Theory 1: Pilot Error or Deliberate Act?
One of the most controversial theories in the expert analysis of the india plane crash revolves around the pilots. The AAIB’s preliminary report does not explicitly blame the crew but notes the sequential movement of the fuel switches, which are located on the overhead panel and require deliberate action to toggle. Aviation safety consultant Captain Amit Singh, founder of India’s Safety Matters Foundation, has argued that the evidence “strongly supports the theory of an electrical disturbance,” but others, including pilot unions, have decried suggestions of intentional sabotage as premature and demoralizing.
The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) issued a statement criticizing the investigation’s tone, suggesting a bias toward pilot error. C.S. Randhawa, a former Air India pilot and ALPA president, told NBC News that such accusations have “demoralized the pilots in the country,” emphasizing that pilots must fly with a clear mental state. However, historical precedents like the 2015 Germanwings Flight 9525 crash, where a pilot deliberately downed the plane, have led some experts to consider suicide or foul play.
Mental health in aviation has come under the spotlight post-crash. A PBS News report highlighted emerging questions about pilot psychological care, noting that the crash report raises broader concerns for the industry. Air India has since inspected its entire Boeing fleet, finding no issues with fuel switch locking mechanisms, but this hasn’t quelled debates. If deliberate, it would mark the first such incident for a Boeing 787, tarnishing its safety record since entering service in 2011.
Theory 2: Electrical or Mechanical Failure
Countering the human error narrative, several experts propose a technical glitch as the root cause of the india plane crash. Independent aviation analyst Richard Godfrey’s report suggests a “dual engine shutdown to below idle was caused by water ingress to the Aft E/E Bay,” leading to an electrical short circuit. This could have triggered a cascade of system failures, automatically shutting down fuel flow as a safety measure. Godfrey’s analysis points to heavy rainfall in Ahmedabad prior to takeoff, potentially allowing water to enter sensitive electronic compartments.
Ahmed Busnaina, an airplane engineer from Northeastern University, weighed in on possible engine failure or flap issues based on crash footage. “Footage suggests a potential issue with the plane’s flaps — a device designed to create lift,” he noted, though he emphasized that investigations are complex and often reveal multiple failures. The Federal’s investigative series revealed that the aircraft had a stabilizer trim sensor issue on its previous flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad, and a more significant problem with the horizontal stabilizer electric motor control unit (EMCU) was not fully addressed in the AAIB report.
Ed Pierson, executive director of the Foundation for Aviation Safety and a former Boeing manager, highlighted that intermittent system failures could indicate underlying electrical problems, drawing parallels to the 737 MAX disasters. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his Paris Air Show appearance to focus on the investigation, sending experts to the site. If confirmed, this theory could lead to fleet-wide inspections and design changes for the Dreamliner, which has been praised for its advanced composites and efficiency but criticized for electrical vulnerabilities.
The Role of Maintenance and Oversight
Expert analysis also scrutinizes Air India’s maintenance practices and regulatory oversight. The aircraft, registered VT-ANB, had 41,868 airframe hours and recently installed engines. However, the prior flight’s hard landing and unresolved EMCU issues raise questions about whether troubleshooting followed Boeing’s fault isolation manual adequately. India’s aviation growth, with Air India investing billions in modernization under Tata ownership, has been a point of national pride, but the crash has dented that image.
The Supreme Court of India has intervened, stating it “can’t blame the pilot” without concrete evidence, and theories point to electrical disturbances rather than error. This reflects a struggle between science and emotion in the probe. International involvement from the FAA and UK authorities ensures transparency, but as Captain Singh notes, promoting a safety culture is crucial.
Broader Implications for Aviation Safety
The india plane crash has sparked global discussions on redundancies in aviation systems. Planes like the 787 have multiple safeguards, yet crashes often stem from chained failures. Experts urge enhanced mental health protocols, better weather-related precautions, and rigorous maintenance checks. Air India’s response included compensating victims’ families with ₹25 lakh each, covering 95% by November 2025.
Sole survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh has spoken about his PTSD, underscoring the human toll. As the final report looms, the aviation community awaits answers that could prevent future tragedies.
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FAQ
- What was Air India Flight 171? Air India Flight 171 was a scheduled passenger flight from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
- How many people died in the crash? The crash killed 241 people on board (out of 242) and 19 on the ground, totaling 260 fatalities. There was one survivor from the plane.
- What does the preliminary report say about the cause? The report indicates that the fuel control switches were moved to “CUTOFF,” causing loss of engine thrust. It remains under investigation whether this was due to human action or a technical fault.
- Was it pilot error? While some speculate pilot involvement, experts and unions argue against bias, suggesting possible electrical issues instead.
- Has Air India taken any actions post-crash? Air India inspected its Boeing fleet, provided compensation to victims’ families, and cooperated with investigators.
- What are the main theories? Theories include deliberate pilot action, inadvertent error, electrical short circuit from water ingress, or maintenance oversights.
- How long will the full investigation take? Full reports can take months to years, but a preliminary was released within 30 days as per ICAO requirements.
- What impact has this had on Boeing? It’s the first fatal 787 incident, prompting reviews of fuel systems and electrical bays.
- Were there any warnings before takeoff? The plane had minor issues on the previous flight, but it was cleared after troubleshooting.
- How can similar crashes be prevented? Enhanced mental health support, better maintenance, and design improvements for weather resilience are key recommendations.
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_India_Flight_171
- Medium: https://medium.com/design-bootcamp/before-the-next-flight-the-hard-lessons-of-ai171s-tragedy-4cade6dd55b2
- Medium: https://medium.com/write-a-catalyst/29-seconds-to-impact-the-inside-story-of-air-india-flight-171s-unthinkable-tragedy-00f611024983