Aircraft Accident Investigated: Insights on Air India Mishap
On the fateful morning of June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft with registration VT-ANB, met a tragic end shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad. The investigation into the crash, led by the Indian Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), is currently underway, with the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) participating with "Expert" status.
The Air India Flight AI171, which arrived from Delhi as AI423, landed at 05:47 UTC and parked at Bay 34. The take-off run appeared normal, and the aircraft became airborne at 08:08:39 UTC. However, just seconds later, both engines lost power when their respective fuel control switches transitioned from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF', one second apart. This sudden loss of thrust led to the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) at 08:08:47 UTC, indicating a complete electrical and hydraulic failure due to the engine shutdown. A distress call was made at 08:09:05 UTC, and the aircraft crashed into a residential hostel complex outside the airport boundary almost immediately after.
The investigation is focusing on several key hypotheses. One of the leading theories is that the movement of the engine fuel control switches to the "CUTOFF" position may have caused the engine shutdown. It is unclear whether this was due to deliberate or accidental human intervention or an automated response by the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system following faulty sensor readings. Another hypothesis involves a malfunctioning stabilizer sensor, which could have potentially contributed to the sequence of events leading to the accident.
The investigation is also considering whether engine failure or human error played a role in the shutdown. It remains unclear whether the engines were failing on their own, prompting the fuel switches to be turned off, or if the fuel switches were moved first, causing the engines to shut down.
In an effort to uncover more details, the investigation team is analysing flight data, crew medical histories, maintenance logs, and component failures. Maintenance engineers have addressed a logbook entry related to a "STAB POS XDCR" status message at 06:40 UTC, which refers to the Stabiliser Position Transducer. The crew underwent breathalyzer testing at 06:25 UTC and were declared fit for duty, a standard procedure within the industry.
The aircraft was equipped with two Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs), which recorded key information about engine shutdowns, relight attempts, and crew dialogue. This data will undoubtedly prove invaluable in understanding the sequence of events that led to the tragic accident.
As the investigation continues, no definitive cause has been confirmed yet. The AAIB has emphasised that safety recommendations have not been issued, and further analysis and data collection are needed to determine the exact sequence of events and the primary cause of the crash. The aviation community awaits the results of this investigation with a heavy heart, hoping for answers that will help prevent such tragedies in the future.
[1] Preliminary Report: Air India Flight AI171 Accident, June 12, 2025, Indian Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) [2] Investigation Update: Air India Flight AI171 Accident, June 12, 2025, Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) [3] Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC): Understanding its Role in Aircraft Engine Management, AirlineGeeks, 2023 [4] Stabilizer Position Transducer: A Key Component in Aircraft Stability and Control, Aviation Today, 2024
- In the midst of the ongoing investigation into the Air India Flight AI171 accident on June 12, 2025, scientists delve into the intricacies of the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, aiming to understand its potential role in automated responses to faulty sensor readings.
- As medical-conditions of the crew have been ruled out in the Air India Flight AI171 crash, the aviation industry is closely monitoring general-news reports and technology advancements in stabilizer sensors to mitigate the risks of malfunctions contributing to future accidents.
- Meanwhile, crime-and-justice experts are taking a closer look at maintenance logs and component failures, studying the circumstances surrounding a particular "STAB POS XDCR" status message that appeared on the Stabiliser Position Transducer before the crash, hoping to uncover any potential criminal negligence or oversight.
