This article outlines the initial findings from the official preliminary report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the Air India Flight AI171 crash. The Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.
Airline Ratings expressed condolences to those affected by the tragedy. The flight had a take-off weight within the Boeing 787’s limits and no dangerous goods were declared onboard. Pre-flight checks included breathalyser testing for the crew and addressing a technical issue related to the Stabiliser Position Transducer.
During take-off, both engines lost power when their fuel control switches moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’, an action that requires manual input. This simultaneous switch is unusual and is central to the investigation. Fuel cut-off switches are typically used post-landing or in emergencies.