Seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, Air India Flight 171 tragically went down, resulting in a disaster that has shook the nation. Preliminary investigations reveal that fuel was cut off to both engines just moments after takeoff, sparking questions regarding the pilots' actions at the time.
The accident report, which came from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, points towards possible pilot error rather than any mechanical issues with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. An alarming cockpit voice recording captured one pilot inquiring about the fuel cutoff, to which the other pilot denied having done so.
The flight, heading for London, was carrying 242 passengers, with only one survivor from the wreckage. The plane collided into a nearby medical college's dining hall, resulting in over 270 fatalities, including those on the ground.
Investigators stated there were “no recommended actions” for Boeing or General Electric, the manufacturers of the engines and aircraft. Captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, with a wealth of flying experience, the pilot duo's combined experience exceeds what was previously estimated. This tragic event marks India’s deadliest aviation disaster in nearly three decades.
