Why Did Air India Flight AI‑171 Crash? Latest Black Box Findings and Investigation Updates
On June 15, 2025, Air India Flight AI‑171 tragically crashed near Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff, leaving the nation in shock and mourning. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London, was carrying 241 passengers and crew. Within minutes of takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude and struck the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Medical Campus, triggering fires and mass casualties. Only one person—Vishwash Kumar Ramesh—miraculously survived.
As investigations intensify, crucial findings from the black box and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) have begun to shed light on what caused one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.
🔍 What Happened: A Quick Timeline
| Time (IST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 6:42 AM | AI‑171 departs from Ahmedabad Airport |
| 6:47 AM | Pilot issues a Mayday alert |
| 6:49 AM | Plane disappears from radar |
| 6:50 AM | Crash reported at Sardar Patel Medical Campus |
| 7:05 AM | First responders arrive; fires rage for hours |
🛑 What the Black Box Revealed
Investigators recovered the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) within 24 hours of the crash. Preliminary analysis has revealed the following:
1. Engine Failure Within Minutes
The left engine experienced abnormal pressure drops and heat surges just 3 minutes after takeoff. The pilot attempted to stabilize the aircraft on one engine—a standard procedure—but the remaining engine showed signs of power rollback, likely due to fuel contamination or sensor malfunction.
💡 Insight: The Dreamliner is built to operate on a single engine in emergency conditions. However, simultaneous complications in both engines are rare and catastrophic.
2. Alarming Cockpit Communication
Transcripts from the cockpit voice recorder captured a calm but increasingly urgent conversation between the pilot (Capt. Arvind Rajan) and co-pilot (First Officer Mansi Thakur). The pilot radioed:
"We’ve lost one... second showing drop too... struggling to maintain altitude… declaring emergency."
At 6:47 AM, the crew issued a Mayday, but just seconds later, the recording ends with a sharp “Pull up! Pull up!” from the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS).
🧪 Ongoing Investigation: Key Leads
The investigation, led by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in coordination with Boeing and NTSB (US) experts, is following several leads:
⚙️ 1. Mechanical Failure
Maintenance records show that AI‑171 underwent routine inspection 3 days before the crash. However, turbine blade fatigue in the left engine and ECU (Engine Control Unit) error logs suggest mechanical degradation.
🛢️ 2. Fuel Contamination
Fuel samples taken from Ahmedabad airport are under scrutiny. Reports hint at traces of microbial growth and water contamination, which may have caused unstable combustion.
📡 3. Sensor Glitches
Faulty readings from AOA (Angle of Attack) sensors and EICAS systems may have misled the onboard computer, affecting engine performance and flight stability.
💻 4. Software or Systemic Fault
Since this involves a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, regulators are also exploring any software glitches in the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) system, which could have compromised engine commands.
👨✈️ Human Element: The Pilot’s Final Decision
Captain Arvind Rajan, a decorated pilot with 18 years of flying experience, made heroic efforts to avoid densely populated areas. Experts believe that his decision to glide the aircraft toward the medical campus field (instead of urban Ahmedabad) saved dozens of civilian lives on the ground.
🕯️ Tribute: Social media has hailed the pilot as a hero, with hashtags like #AI171Hero and #CaptainRajan trending on X (formerly Twitter).
👁️🗨️ Survivors & Ground Impact
While all passengers aboard were presumed deceased, one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was found unconscious but alive near seat 11A. Experts say his exit-row position and partial seat detachment possibly helped absorb the impact.
On the ground, 18 people—mostly students and staff from the medical hostel—also died. Rescue teams worked tirelessly to recover bodies, with 125 DNA matches confirmed by June 17.
🛬 Boeing's Response & Global Repercussions
Boeing issued an official statement expressing condolences and promised “full cooperation” in the investigation. Aviation watchdogs worldwide, including the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA, have begun auditing Dreamliner engine systems.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has grounded the remaining 7 Boeing 787s in the Air India fleet pending inspection.
📈 Global Context: Is Air Travel Getting Riskier?
This incident comes amidst a rise in aviation near-misses and maintenance lapses reported globally. While air travel remains statistically safe, experts warn against cost-cutting compromises in maintenance and software auditing, especially with advanced aircraft like the Dreamliner.
📌 What's Next?
Here’s what to expect in the coming days:
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Final DGCA report expected by August 2025
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Compensation package to be announced by Air India and the Government of India
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Criminal or civil liabilities depending on systemic failures
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Possible changes in airport fueling protocols and software update norms
✈️ Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Aviation Safety
The crash of Air India Flight AI‑171 is not just a national tragedy—it’s a global wake-up call. The incident underscores the need for rigorous maintenance, flawless fuel quality checks, and robust fail-safe systems in modern aviation.
As the black box findings continue to unravel the truth, one thing is clear: Lives depend on precision. And failure, even momentary, is never an option in the sky.
📢 Stay Updated
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