Air India Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Pilot Error or Corporate Cover-Up?
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released the first official report on the tragic Air India Ahmedabad plane crash that occurred on June 12, 2025, shedding light on critical details surrounding the incident. The preliminary report has sparked widespread debate, with questions arising about pilot error, mechanical issues, and potential corporate cover-ups. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the findings and the controversies they’ve ignited.
Key Findings of the Report
The report, published by the AAIB, details the sequence of events leading to the crash of Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The timeline, presented in Indian Standard Time (IST) for clarity, reveals the following:
- 11:17 AM, June 12, 2025: The aircraft, arriving from Delhi, was parked at bay number 34 at Ahmedabad’s airport. The crew reported an issue in the Tech Log (Pilot Defect Report), noting "STAB POS XDCR" (Stabilizer Position Transducer), indicating a malfunction in the sensor measuring the horizontal stabilizer’s position.
- 12:10 PM: Air India’s Duty Aircraft Maintenance Engineer addressed the issue, and the aircraft was cleared for its next flight to Mumbai.
- 12:35 PM: The Mumbai-based pilots, who had arrived the previous night and were well-rested, were at the boarding gate. The co-pilot was designated as the Pilot Flying (PF), while the captain served as the Pilot Monitoring (PM). Both passed a pre-flight breathalyzer test, confirming they were not intoxicated.
- Flight Details: The plane had 54,200 kg of fuel and a takeoff weight of just over 213,000 kg, within the maximum allowed limit of 218,000 kg.
- 13:38:39: The aircraft took off, achieving a maximum speed of 180 knots three seconds later at 13:38:42.
- Critical Moment: Immediately after reaching maximum speed, both fuel cut-off switches for engines 1 and 2 moved from the "Run" (On) to "Cut-Off" (Off) position, with a one-second gap between the two. This halted fuel supply to both engines, causing them to shut down mid-air.
- 13:38:47: The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed to provide hydraulic power, but it was insufficient due to the plane’s low altitude.
- Pilot Conversation: One pilot asked, “Why did you cut off (the fuel switch)?”to which the other responded,“I did not do so.”The report does not clarify which pilot spoke or provide further details of their conversation.
- 13:38:52–13:38:56: The pilots restored the fuel switches to the "On" position within 10 seconds. The first engine restarted, but the second did not recover.
- 13:39:05: The pilots issued a “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!”call to Air Traffic Control (ATC), but no further communication was received.
- 13:39:11: The Flight Data Recorder stopped, marking the presumed crash time.
Controversies and Theories
The report’s findings have raised more questions than answers, fueling speculation and debate:
1. Pilot Error or Corporate Cover-Up?
- The report hints at pilot error, particularly due to the recorded conversation where one pilot questioned the other about switching off the fuel. This has led some to theorize that one pilot deliberately turned off the switches, possibly due to personal or mental health issues. However, the report does not explicitly confirm this, and the responding pilot’s denial, “I did not do so,”complicates the narrative.
- Critics, including the Airline Pilots Association of India and Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor, argue the investigation appears biased toward blaming the pilots. Kapoor, the Director General of the Indian Air Force for Inspection and Flight Safety, noted that turning off both fuel switches within a second, especially just after takeoff, is highly improbable for experienced pilots. He challenged seasoned pilots to replicate this action, suggesting an alternative cause.
- The pilots’ records show no red flags: the captain had over 15,000 hours of flying experience and was nearing retirement, while the co-pilot had 3,400 hours and a clean record. Both passed pre-flight sobriety tests, and their attempt to restore fuel within 10 seconds suggests intent to save the flight.
2. Mechanical or Software Malfunction?
- The report does not rule out a mechanical or software issue. A 2018 US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bulletin highlighted issues with Boeing 787 fuel control switches, noting that some had disengaged locking mechanisms, allowing accidental movement. Air India did not inspect these switches, as the FAA advisory was not mandatory. The aircraft’s throttle control module, housing the fuel switches, was replaced in 2019 and 2023, but these changes were unrelated to the switches.
- Senior pilots suggest a possible electrical or software malfunction that falsely indicated the switches were in the "Cut-Off" position, leading to engine failure.
3. Incomplete Information
- The AAIB report quotes only a single line of pilot conversation, omitting further dialogue recorded by the Black Box. This has led to accusations of selective disclosure, with demands for the full conversation to be released to clarify the pilots’ actions and intent.
- The preliminary nature of the report, mandated to be released within 30 days of the crash (June 12 to July 11, 2025), avoids definitive blame. A conclusive report, expected within a year, is anticipated to provide more clarity.
Market Impact and Public Reaction
Following the report’s release, Boeing’s stock surged to its highest level in a year, suggesting market confidence that the company may not be at fault. However, public and expert skepticism persists, with many questioning whether the pilots, who cannot defend themselves, are being scapegoated to protect corporate interests. Comparisons have been drawn to a 2022 Boeing 737 crash in China, where the cause remains undisclosed, citing national security.
What’s Next?
The AAIB’s preliminary report has set the stage for a deeper investigation. The public and aviation community await the final report, expected by June 2026, which should include the full Black Box conversation and conclusive findings. For now, the tragedy of Air India Flight AI 171 remains shrouded in mystery, with critical questions about accountability, mechanical integrity, and transparency yet to be answered.
