What Caused the Air India B787 Crash? Preliminary Report Reveals Critical Details

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
New Delhi, 12th July 2025: In a tragic aviation disaster that has sent shockwaves across India and beyond, an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft (registration VT-ANB) operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025. The preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reveals chilling details about the chain of events that led to the crash, which claimed 260 lives — including 12 crew members, 229 passengers, and 19 civilians on the ground.

Timeline of Events
The scheduled international passenger flight took off at 08:07 UTC (13:37 IST). Within two minutes, both engines of the aircraft lost power after fuel control switches transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position. A mayday call was made at 08:09:05 UTC, moments before the aircraft plunged into the BJ Medical College hostel, barely 0.9 nautical miles from the runway’s end. The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) failed to activate during the crash.

Crew and Flight Details
The aircraft was commanded by a 56-year-old Captain holding an ATPL and over 15,600 flying hours, including 8,596 hours on the Boeing 787. The First Officer, 32, held a CPL and had 3,400 hours of total experience. Both pilots were well-rested and had no recent flight duty fatigue indicators.

Flight AI171 had 230 passengers onboard, including 15 in business class and 215 in economy, with two infants. The aircraft also carried 10 cabin crew. It had been refueled with 54,200 kg of fuel and had a take-off weight of 213,401 kg — well within permissible limits.

Mechanical and Technical Background
Prior to the accident, the aircraft had arrived from Delhi as flight AI423. A defect report noted a “STAB POS XDCR” status message. Maintenance staff cleared the aircraft after troubleshooting and declared it airworthy.

The engines, both General Electric GEnx-1B series, had been installed recently — the left engine in May and the right in March 2025. The aircraft was compliant with all mandatory airworthiness directives and advisories. However, one FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) from 2018 regarding potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking mechanism had not been acted upon, as it was considered non-mandatory.

Crash and Wreckage Details
Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage confirm the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed moments after take-off, signaling dual engine failure. The cockpit voice recorder captured a brief exchange where one pilot questioned the other about shutting off the fuel — both denied initiating it.

The aircraft’s trajectory indicates it lifted off normally, achieved a speed of 180 knots, then both engines sequentially shut down. The RAT was activated, and attempts were made to relight the engines. While Engine 1 showed signs of recovery, Engine 2 could not regain full function before impact.

The aircraft crashed into multiple buildings, including hostel blocks A through F of BJ Medical College, with major structural damage and subsequent fires. The vertical stabilizer detached and landed 200 feet from the initial impact site. Both engines were found at different locations, heavily fire-damaged. The forward and aft flight recorders were recovered, though the aft unit was too damaged for data retrieval. The forward EAFR yielded valuable audio and flight data.

On-Ground Casualties and Damage
In addition to the 241 fatalities onboard, 19 people on the ground lost their lives and 67 others were seriously injured. Several buildings within the college campus sustained catastrophic damage. The aircraft was entirely destroyed.

ATC and Weather Conditions
Air Traffic Control transcripts reveal standard procedures up to take-off. The crew requested the full length of Runway 23 and received take-off clearance at 08:07:33 UTC. Weather at the time was normal, with clear skies, 6 km visibility, and a light wind from 240 degrees at 6 knots. No significant meteorological events were recorded during the flight.

Flight Data Analysis and Preliminary Findings
Flight data shows that both fuel control switches moved to the “CUTOFF” position without command. This was followed by an uncommanded shutdown of both engines. The RAT deployment, activation of the APU, and attempted engine relight were all consistent with emergency power loss protocols. The relight attempt was partially successful for Engine 1 but not in time to avert disaster.

Post-crash inspections confirmed the flap setting at 5 degrees and landing gear in the down position — typical for initial climb. Both thrust levers were damaged but data confirms they were in take-off position until impact.

Investigative Collaboration
The AAIB is leading the investigation, assisted by experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, General Electric, FAA, and accident investigation bodies from the UK, Canada, and Portugal. These countries have citizens among the deceased.

The investigation team includes aviation psychologists, flight recorder specialists, and aerospace engineers. Wreckage recovery and preservation have been completed, and relevant components have been quarantined for detailed analysis.

Fuel quality from refueling bowsers has been tested and found satisfactory. Samples from the aircraft’s APU and wing systems are under examination.
Outstanding Questions and Further Investigation
One of the key technical concerns is the fuel control switch — particularly the possibility of inadvertent disengagement due to mechanical failure or design oversight. The report notes the similarity in design with switches identified as problematic in past SAIB advisories, though no such issues had been reported on this particular aircraft since 2023.

Investigators are analyzing postmortem reports, cockpit voice audio, and interviews with the lone surviving passenger and witnesses. At this stage, no safety recommendations have been issued to Boeing 787-8 or GE engine operators.

This preliminary report paints a grim picture of a catastrophic dual engine failure during the most vulnerable phase of flight. While the exact cause of the uncommanded engine shutdowns is still under investigation, the focus now shifts to mechanical, human, and systemic factors that may have contributed.

The final report will provide further insights, recommendations, and potentially transformative safety lessons for the aviation industry worldwide.