Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report into the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives. The report reveals that the disaster was triggered by both engines’ fuel control switches moving from RUN to CUTOFF mid-flight, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust just seconds after takeoff.
Detailed Timeline of Flight AI171’s Final Moments
The report meticulously charts the critical moments leading to the fatal crash of the Air India Dreamliner VT-ANB, operating as flight AI171:
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11:17 AM: Aircraft landed in Ahmedabad from New Delhi as AI423.
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1:18:38 PM: Aircraft observed departing from Bay 34 at the airport.
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1:25:15 PM: Requested taxi clearance, granted by air traffic control. Aircraft taxied from the bay to Runway 23 via Taxiway R4, backtracked, and lined up for takeoff.
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1:32:03 PM: Transferred from ground to tower control.
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1:37:33 PM: Takeoff clearance issued.
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1:37:37 PM: Aircraft began rolling for takeoff.
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1:38:39 PM: Aircraft lifted off, transitioning to “air mode,” indicating liftoff.
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1:38:42 PM: Aircraft reached maximum airspeed of 180 knots. Immediately afterward, both engines’ fuel cutoff switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF within a one-second interval. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other why he cut off the engines, to which the second pilot responded, “I did not do so.” CCTV footage showed the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploying during the initial climb, a sign of power loss. The aircraft began losing altitude before clearing the airport perimeter wall.
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1:38:47 PM: Both engines’ readings dropped below idle speed, with the RAT hydraulic pump activating.
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1:38:52 PM: Engine 1 fuel cutoff switch returned to RUN.
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1:38:56 PM: Engine 2 fuel cutoff switch returned to RUN. The FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) attempted to manage engine relight procedures. Engine 1 began recovering, while Engine 2 could not fully stabilize, despite multiple fuel reintroductions.
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1:39:05 PM: One pilot transmitted “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.”
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1:39:11 PM: Data recording ceased. “The EAFR recording stopped at 08.09.11 UTC,” the report stated.
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1:44:44 PM: Crash fire tenders left the airport premises for rescue operations.
Air India Pledges Cooperation and Support
Following the release of the preliminary findings, Air India stated it remains committed to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. In a social media post, the airline expressed its solidarity with the victims’ families: “Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time.”
Air India acknowledged receiving the preliminary AAIB report and reiterated its commitment to assisting the investigation.
As the probe advances, aviation experts anticipate further analysis into possible human error, technical anomalies, and emergency response protocols that may have influenced the disaster’s outcome.
