The North News
New Delhi, July 11
A preliminary probe into the fatal crash of an Air India Flight 171 aircraft (Boeing 787-8) has raised disturbing questions around the unexplained shutdown of both engines seconds after takeoff, with cockpit recordings revealing one pilot asking the other why the engines were cut off — a question met with denial. A month after the tragedy that killed 260 people, AAIB’s 15-page report has provided the first official account of the final moments of the country’s worst aviation disaster in decades.
The incident unfolded in a matter of minutes, beginning with a routine taxi from Bay 34 at 07:48:38 UTC, followed by takeoff clearance at 08:07:33 UTC. The aircraft began rolling at 08:07:37 UTC, reaching its critical V1 speed (153 knots) by 08:08:33 UTC and lifting off at 08:08:39 UTC.
Just as the aircraft achieved a maximum airspeed of 180 knots by 08:08:42 UTC, the engine parameters took a shocking turn. The fuel cutoff switches for both Engine 1 and Engine 2 transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF within a second of each other, cutting off fuel supply and causing a rapid loss in thrust. According to the Emergency Access Flight Recorder (EAFR), both engine N1 and N2 values dropped, triggering a cascade of failure.
In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking, “Why did you cutoff?” to which the other replied, “I did not do so.” This exchange, now central to the investigation, suggests potential miscommunication, system error, or unintended switch activation.
The aircraft’s fate was sealed in the next few seconds. The EAFR records show an attempt to relight both engines: Engine 1 started to recover, and Engine 2, while responsive, could not sustain core acceleration. The APU Inlet Door opened at 08:08:54 UTC, followed by both engines’ cutoff switches transitioning back to RUN mode at 08:08:56 UTC, but thrust recovery was not successful. At 08:08:47 UTC, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed, supplying emergency hydraulic power — a last-ditch response indicating severe inflight failure.
At 08:09:05 UTC, a desperate “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” call was transmitted by one of the pilots. It was the last communication from the cockpit. ATC attempted to reestablish contact but received no reply. By 08:09:11 UTC, the EAFR stopped recording. The aircraft lost altitude and crashed beyond the airport perimeter wall, as confirmed by CCTV footage.
Fire and rescue teams were dispatched at 08:14:44 UTC, supported by local administration. No significant bird activity was observed during takeoff, ruling out bird strike as a probable cause.
Other details include
- Drone mapping of the wreckage site was completed, and the aircraft debris has been moved to a secure area near the airport. Both engines were retrieved and quarantined for forensic inspection at a nearby hangar.
- Fuel samples from airport bowsers and tanks were deemed satisfactory by DGCA labs.
- However, only limited fuel could be extracted from the aircraft’s APU filter and left-wing jettison valve, and further tests are pending.
- EAFR data continues to be analyzed, while eyewitness statements and those of the sole surviving passenger are under review.
- Postmortem analysis of the crew and passengers is ongoing to corroborate technical findings with medical data.
- No interim safety advisories have been issued for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or GE GEnx-1B engines, though the probe remains active.
Investigators are focusing on the precise reason for the simultaneous engine cutoff and whether it was pilot-induced, mechanically triggered, or a system error. The cause of failure during the relight attempt — despite APU engagement and fuel reintroduction — remains unresolved. Officials say the inquiry is ongoing, and additional evidence, including crew training logs, cockpit systems history, and maintenance records, is being sought from all stakeholders involved.
