Air India Aircraft Crash: Preliminary report reveals engine shutdown after takeoff from Ahmedabad

The Plane Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched its preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India’s B787-8 plane (registration VT-ANB), which occurred on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff for London Gatwick. The plane, working as Flight AI171, crashed at roughly 08:09 UTC, simply moments after turning into airborne.

In keeping with the preliminary findings, the plane reached its peak airspeed of 180 knots at 08:08:42 UTC. Shockingly, inside seconds, each Engine 1 and Engine 2 gasoline cutoff switches transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” — successfully shutting down gasoline provide and initiating energy loss. The engine shutoffs occurred one second aside. Notably, cockpit voice recordings captured a second the place one pilot questioned the opposite concerning the shutdown, to which the latter replied that he hadn’t accomplished it.

Investigators say the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed instantly after liftoff, indicating a critical system failure. Airport CCTV footage confirmed no proof of fowl strike. By the point the plane reached the sting of the airport perimeter, it had already began shedding altitude. Regardless of makes an attempt to relight each engines, solely partial restoration was seen in Engine 1 whereas Engine 2 didn’t regain full energy.

A misery “Mayday” name was transmitted at 08:09:05 UTC, however Air Visitors Management didn’t obtain any response earlier than the airplane crashed into buildings close to the BJ Medical Faculty hostel, 0.9 nautical miles from the runway. The plane was destroyed on influence, which additionally brought about extreme harm to 5 buildings and resulted in a number of fatalities, together with residents from the UK, Portugal, and Canada.

The AAIB staff, together with DGCA officers, and worldwide representatives from NTSB-USA, Boeing, GE, FAA, and AAIB-UK, have been actively concerned within the ongoing investigation. Material consultants in aviation medication, psychology, engineering, and flight recording have additionally been roped in.

Key factors from the report:

• Accident timing: Occurred simply after takeoff at 08:09 UTC.
• Gas swap anomaly: Each engines shut off sequentially, with out pilot command.
• Cockpit voice recordings: Captured confusion between pilots over the engine cutoff.
• No fowl exercise: CCTV footage confirms no fowl hit close to the plane path.
• Crash web site influence: Plane hit a number of buildings and fragmented mid-air; particles was scattered throughout 1,000 ft x 400 ft space.
• Flight crew & load: 230 passengers and 12 crew members have been onboard; plane was inside allowed takeoff weight.
• Flight knowledge: EAFR knowledge revealed full flight sequence, confirming swap transition occasions and relight makes an attempt.
• Upkeep standing: All airworthiness directives and advisories have been in compliance; MEL gadgets energetic however inside legitimate interval.
• Gas high quality: Samples from bowsers and tanks met required requirements.

The flight knowledge recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered from the wreckage and despatched to Delhi for additional evaluation. Information from the ahead EAFR has already been downloaded, revealing roughly 49 hours of flight knowledge, together with the occasion flight. The rear recorder was extensively broken and is below additional forensic inspection.

No technical directives or warnings have been issued but for Boeing 787-8 plane or GE GEnx-1B engines following this incident. The investigation stays energetic as extra proof is being collected and reviewed, together with postmortem studies and technical data.

This preliminary report sheds gentle on a number of vital moments main as much as the crash, however the actual trigger behind the unintended engine shutdown stays unclear. A closing report can be issued upon completion of the investigation.