India may soon get answers about the deadly Air India Crash that shocked the nation. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other top officials.
The report is based on early findings from the crash of AI-171, which happened on June 12. The public release is expected later this week, according to government sources.
What We Know So Far
The Air India plane took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport heading to London. But just 32 seconds after takeoff, the flight crashed and burst into flames.
241 people died, including 10 crew members, 2 pilots, and former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani. Only one passenger in seat 11A survived.
The crash was one of India’s deadliest air disasters in recent years.
Early Investigation Clues
Soon after the crash, teams recovered the black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR). One was found on a rooftop on June 13, the other in debris on June 16.
Investigators are now studying the black box data and wreckage. They are trying to understand the exact reason behind the engine failure that may have caused the crash.
Also Read Air India Crash: Flight Simulation Reveals Why the Jet Couldn’t Stay Airborne
Simulations Didn’t Work
A week after the crash, three Air India Boeing 787 pilots in Mumbai tried to recreate what may have gone wrong.
They tested possible electrical failures that could lead to both engines shutting down right after takeoff.
But the tests did not match the crash outcome. The team also reviewed the trim sheet — a document that shows the plane’s weight and balance.
They looked into fuel switch settings to check if the pilots could have accidentally turned off an engine.
Major Safety Gaps?
One worrying detail: Air India’s Boeing 787 pilots are not trained to handle dual-engine failure below 400 feet — which is the exact situation AI-171 faced.
This raises serious questions about pilot training and aircraft readiness in India.
What’s Next?
The public release of the report is expected in a few days. It could confirm the cause of the Air India Crash and help prevent future disasters.
India waits with heavy hearts — but also with hope for justice and change.
