Air India Crash: What Investigators Say Caused the Tragedy

India is mourning the loss of 270 lives following the country’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades, the crash of Air India Flight AI‑171. The tragic incident, which took place shortly after takeoff on June 12, has sparked an international investigation, with authorities racing to determine the cause of the fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Early findings and black box data have begun to shed light on the final moments of the ill-fated flight and the possible causes behind the catastrophic failure. Here’s everything we know so far.

The Crash: What Happened?

On the afternoon of June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI‑171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 242 people, including crew.

According to flight data and eyewitness reports, the aircraft failed to gain proper altitude during takeoff. Within 40 seconds, it lost power and control, nose-dived, and crashed into a medical college hostel and nearby residential buildings in the Motera district, erupting into a massive fireball.

Casualties

• Total fatalities: 270
  • 241 on board (passengers and crew)
  • 29 on the ground (students, staff, residents)
• Survivors: 1
  • Vishwash Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A, miraculously escaped with minor injuries.

Visual Evidence: What CCTV and Witnesses Revealed

Video footage from a nearby traffic surveillance camera showed the aircraft flying unusually low. The plane’s landing gear remained extended, and there were no signs of fire or explosion before impact. At approximately 17 seconds into the flight, the aircraft’s nose dipped sharply.

Eyewitnesses described hearing a low engine hum followed by a sudden silence and then a deafening crash. One hostel resident said, “It looked like the plane was never really airborne. Then it just dropped.”

Black Box Recovery and Analysis

Authorities recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), collectively known as the black boxes, from the wreckage two days after the crash.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is leading the investigation. Boeing and General Electric (engine manufacturer) are also assisting.

The black boxes were flown under high security to New Delhi aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft and are currently being analyzed by experts.

Why Black Boxes Matter

The CVR and FDR record crucial data, including:

• Engine performance
• Flap and gear positions
• Pilot communication
• System warnings and failures
• Altitude, speed, and heading

India’s Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed the data extraction process has begun and will help “reconstruct the sequence of events and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety.”

Leading Theories: What May Have Caused the Crash

As the analysis unfolds, investigators are looking into several potential causes:

1. Simultaneous Engine Failure

Both engines may have lost power seconds after takeoff—a rare and catastrophic event. This could explain the sudden drop in altitude.

2. Electrical System Failure

There is evidence that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed—a device used when a plane loses all main electrical power. RAT deployment points to a complete electrical failure that may have affected key flight systems.

3. Landing Gear and Flaps Malfunction

The landing gear was never retracted, potentially causing excess drag. Investigators are analyzing whether the gear and flaps malfunctioned or if the pilots were unable to raise them due to other system failures.

4. Pilot Actions

Pilots issued a “mayday” distress call approximately 17 seconds after takeoff, reporting a critical failure. However, radio contact was lost almost immediately after, and investigators are reviewing whether crew response protocols were followed.

5. Sabotage or Fuel Contamination

Though still speculative, the AAIB is not ruling out the possibility of sabotage, fuel contamination, or maintenance negligence. Investigators are conducting toxicology and fuel quality checks.

Regulatory and Industry Response

Air India and DGCA Actions

• All 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in Air India’s fleet have been ordered for immediate inspection.
• Power assurance checks, electrical system reviews, and maintenance record audits are underway.

Government Intervention

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has pledged to overhaul safety compliance enforcement.

The Indian Parliament’s Civil Aviation Committee has scheduled a special session for July 9 to assess:

• Crew fatigue regulations
• Technical oversight capacity
• Airline training standards

The Human Toll

The disaster decimated families and communities. Victims included medical students, schoolteachers, business travelers, and entire families. Memorial services have been held across India and abroad.

Survivor’s Testimony

Vishwash Ramesh, the sole survivor, described the moment of impact:

“There was no time to think—just fire and noise. I don’t know how I’m still here.”

He is being treated for burns and psychological trauma at a hospital in Delhi.

The crash of Air India Flight AI‑171 is a devastating chapter in aviation history. As investigators work around the clock, the world awaits answers—answers that could shape how we fly and how aviation safety is managed for decades to come.

The findings from the black boxes, pilot decisions, system logs, and aircraft maintenance history will not only provide closure to the victims’ families but also serve as a lesson for a growing global industry where safety must never be compromised for speed.