What Happened to Air India? A Closer Look at the Recent Air India Crash

In June 2025, tragedy struck when Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into a crowded neighborhood in Ahmedabad just moments after takeoff. 

The incident claimed the lives of all 260 people onboard and has since become one of the most baffling aviation disasters in India's recent history. 

With early investigations shedding light on a series of perplexing events in the cockpit, the world is asking: what really caused the Air India crash?

What We Know So Far About the Air India Crash

Preliminary findings reveal that both of the aircraft's fuel control switches moved to the "cut-off" position seconds after takeoff, starving the engines of fuel.

Normally, these switches are only engaged after a plane lands. The cockpit voice recorder captures a chilling exchange, where one pilot asks why the cut-off was initiated, with the other denying having done so.

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Fuel Switch Design Under Scrutiny

Fuel control switches are built with safety in mind, requiring a pull-up mechanism to prevent accidental activation. They are guarded to avoid unintentional movements. 

Experts say it's nearly impossible to flip both switches simultaneously with one hand, raising doubts about whether this was a mechanical failure or human action.

Investigative Challenges

While investigators haven't identified which pilot operated the switches, they are analyzing the cockpit voice recorder, which includes radio chatter and ambient cockpit sounds. 

Clear voice identification and a detailed transcript are crucial to understanding what truly happened.

Was It a Mechanical Flaw?

A 2018 FAA bulletin had noted that some Boeing fuel switches might have been installed with disabled locking features, though this wasn't deemed a critical safety issue. 

The same model switch was installed on the crashed Dreamliner, but Air India had not conducted the recommended inspections.

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The Role of the RAT and Landing Gear

The deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) confirmed a dual engine failure. Meanwhile, the landing gear remained extended, likely because the pilots didn’t have time to retract it amid the emergency. 

The plane was only airborne for about 50 seconds and climbed to just 625 feet before the crash.

What’s Still Unknown?

While fuel contamination and mechanical failure have largely been ruled out, questions remain around whether the fuel switches were triggered manually or electronically. Investigators are also examining the aircraft's electronic control unit for potential faults.

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Voices of the Families

For families of the victims, the preliminary report has provided more questions than answers. Many, like Imtiyaz Ali who lost four family members, are demanding full transparency and further investigation to understand what truly led to the crash.

Conclusion

The Air India crash remains a deeply troubling incident with several unresolved questions. While preliminary data points to the mysterious movement of fuel switches as the key event, investigators continue to explore every angle—mechanical, human, and procedural. 

As the aviation world waits for definitive answers, one thing is clear: full voice identification, cockpit transparency, and possibly even cockpit video recording are essential steps forward.

FAQs

What caused the Air India Flight 171 crash? 

The preliminary cause is a dual engine failure due to both fuel switches being set to "cut-off" shortly after takeoff.

Was it a mechanical error or pilot action? 

It is still unclear whether the switches were flipped manually or due to a system fault. Voice identification is ongoing.

What is a Ram Air Turbine (RAT)? 

A RAT is a backup power device that deploys automatically when both engines fail, helping to maintain essential systems.

Has Boeing responded to the crash? 

Boeing is assisting in the investigation along with Indian authorities and international experts.

Will cockpit video recordings become mandatory? 

Investigators and experts are pushing for this as a necessary tool for future crash analysis and pilot accountability.