Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. Just 30-40 seconds after start, both engines failed, due to a bird attack. The plane crashed into a hostel at BJ Medical College, about 1.85 km from the runway. It is a question of remorse that of 242 people on the board, 241 people died, as well as 19 people were on the ground. Only one person survived – a British traveler sat near an emergency exit. He suffered serious injuries, but is now in a stable position. The accident is under investigation to detect the exact cause of the motor failure.
What the Early Investigation Found
India’s plane crash report, the Bureau of Investigation (AAIB), shared an initial report in early July. Some important facts were shown in the report:
Right after start, both fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” in a second. These switches control fuel flows in engines. This sudden change stopped both engines and caused the aircraft to.
The crew tried to resume the engines, and one engine resumed partially. But the plane did not have enough height and crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff. The switch requires strong, clear action to move, so an accident is unlikely.
So far, AAIB has not said about pilots a mechanical problem or a software problem occurred with the switches.
U.S. Report Says Pilot May Have Shut Down Engines
A U.S. report raised serious concerns about the accident.
It says Captain Sumeet Sabharwal may have closed both fuel switches a few seconds after the start. These switches send fuel to the engine. Without fuel, the engine stopped working.
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) first asked the officer Clive Customers: “Why did you cut off?” While the engine failed. The captain remained calm, but he gave no reason for his actions.
- Experts say the switch was closed one after another, only in addition to a second. This suggests that this was done by a person, not an accident or system error.
So far, the US team has not confirmed the exact reason. But initial indications point to potential pilot action. Now, investigators are investigating whether there is a mistake, a technical problem, or something more serious.
Pilot Actions and Reactions
Reports from global agencies and US aviation experts shared important details about pilots. 56 -year -old Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had over 15,600 flight hours, including about 8,600 hours at Boeing 787. He had a pure flight entry and was known for remaining calm in stressful situations.
First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, had a total of 3,400 flight hours with 1,100 in 787. He still gained experience with long international flights. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) caught both pilots during the emergency. Sabharwal remained calm, while customers were confused and nervous. Because of this, US investigators are closer to the captain’s actions.
Experts say that the exact time for the captain’s calm behavior and the closure of the fuel switch may indicate a deliberate action. The investigators are also investigating the pilots’ mental health, training records, and any signals of stress or problems before takeoff.
Pushback from Indian Authorities
Indian authorities asked everyone to be careful before jumping to conclusions.
- AAIB stated that foreign reports are “selective, unpleasant and irresponsible.” He recalled the people that they have not yet blamed anyone.
- Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu asked for patience and said the investigation is still in the early stages. He warned against spreading rumors.
- Federation of Indian Pilots and ALPA India also spoke. He said it is too early to blame anyone and criticize the media for making quick decisions.
Technical and Software Checks
Investigators also look at possible technical problems, not just human mistakes. In 2018, the FAA warned of any Boeing fuel control switch that can be stuck. Air India examined its aircraft and found no problem, but the investigation is still ongoing.
Some experts feel that a software error failure can explain why the aircraft was on the ground. This error can be automatically discontinued because of this error, such as a uniform Boeing 787 event in 2019. The investigation continues to find the real cause.
Human Factors and Mental Health
People have talked about the pilot’s mental health. Some reports say that Captain Sabharwal may face emotional problems, but it is not confirmed, and he is very sensitive.
Experts say we should not guess the causes or talk about goals unless we have more facts. It is also important to respect everyone involved.
What Happens Next?
The entire report will take time:
- AAIB has planned to finish it in about 12 months. They will work with Boeing, General Electric, the FAA, the NTSB, and Britain’s agencies.
- Investigators will look at several possible causes. They will investigate whether the pilot made a mistake, if the system failed, if there was a problem in the software, if there was a mechanical error, or whether the mental health of the pilot played a role.
- Families of the victims seek legal help. Aviation groups want to add cockpit video recorders to better understand future accidents.
Broader Impacts
This accident has started important security conversations. People now want the camcorder to record more than the voice in the cockpit. Experts also say that pilots require better mental health care and regular checks. At the same time, the airlines from around the world inspect Boeing aircraft to ensure that their switch systems work safely. The purpose of these stages is to prevent accidents and protect everyone in the future.
End Note
The crash of Flight AI 171 is still unclear. Some reports attribute the pilot, while others suggest a system error. Everyone agrees that the loss is very large. American and Indian teams are still investigating. Next year, the final report will help improve flight safety, find reasons, and reconstruct public trust.
About The Author
