The preliminary report into the Air India Flight 171 crash has sparked controversy and speculation about the cause of the accident. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a building less than a minute after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground. One passenger survived.
According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report, two fuel cut-off switches were moved from the “run” to the “cut-off” position seconds after takeoff, depriving the engines of fuel and causing them to lose thrust. Although data from the flight recorder shows the engines were subsequently restarted, it was too late to prevent the crash.
The report also states that one pilot asked the other “why did he cutoff,” while his colleague “responded that he did not do so.” However, it does not provide any direct transcript of the conversation or identify which pilot asked the question. This lack of information has led to criticism from aviation experts, including Bjorn Fehrm, an aeronautical analyst at Leeham News, who said, “They have all this technical detail. Then you have this reference to dialogue, but it doesn’t even tell you who’s speaking.”
The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) has condemned speculation about pilot suicide, saying it is “irresponsible and deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved.” They added that “to casually suggest pilot suicide in the absence of verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting.” ICPA emphasized that pilots undergo rigorous screening and training, and such insinuations are unacceptable without concrete evidence.
Aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan has suggested that the crash might have been a deliberate act, possibly even a case of pilot suicide. He based his claim on the AAIB’s documentation of the fuel cutoff switches and the cockpit voice recorder transcript. Ranganathan expressed frustration with the AAIB report’s handling of the critical exchange between the pilots, calling it “vague” and suggestive of a “cover-up.”
The investigation has also raised questions about the role of the pilots and potential mechanical issues. Engineering sources have pointed out that the report says the throttle control model on the crashed aircraft was replaced on two occasions, most recently two years before the accident. This would have involved replacing the cut-off switches as well.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since reiterated its belief that the issue of faulty fuel cutoff switches, highlighted in a 2018 safety bulletin, did not compromise safety. Nevertheless, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has asked operators of all aircraft covered by the FAA’s original bulletin to carry out inspections by July 21.
The final report is expected to be published within a year, but experts believe it may take longer. Former accident investigator Tim Atkinson said, “The very worst reports are those written to be read ‘between the lines’, and if that is what we have here, then it does no credit to the investigators.”
As the investigation continues, families of the victims and aviation experts are seeking more transparency and answers about the crash. The ICPA has called for a fair and fact-based inquiry, emphasizing the need for restraint, empathy, and respect for due process.