What We Know So Far
Crash Overview
- On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick.
- Of the 242 people onboard, 241 perished along with 19 on the ground. One passenger miraculously survived.
Cause of the Crash
- Preliminary investigations revealed that both fuel control switches in the cockpit had moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within seconds of takeoff, causing both engines to lose power.
- Voice recordings captured the crew’s shock and immediate distress.
- Authorities have not yet concluded whether this was due to pilot error, mechanical malfunction, or a rare software failure.
Ongoing Investigation
- Aviation authorities in India and globally have launched detailed inspections of similar Boeing aircraft, focusing on fuel switch mechanisms.
- The incident has raised concerns over whether cockpit systems provide sufficient fail-safes to prevent accidental or unintended shutdowns.
Boeing’s Position
- There is currently no official finding of a Boeing design flaw.
- However, investigators are reviewing both mechanical and software systems linked to fuel controls, especially in light of previous advisories related to switch-lock functionality.
Conclusion
The 2025 Air India crash has reopened questions about aircraft cockpit design and safety redundancies. Whether the fault lies with human error, hardware, or software remains unresolved—but the global aviation community is watching closely.
