Air India Plane Crashes: Deep Analysis of the June 12 Disaster

Introduction

The aviation world was shaken on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, lost both engines mid-air and collided with a nearby medical college dormitory. Of the 242 people onboard, 241 perished, and one passenger survived; tragically, 19 residents of the dormitory also lost their lives, with many more injured on the ground.

This catastrophic incident—India’s deadliest aviation disaster in a decade—prompted an urgent and wide-ranging investigation. Preliminary findings suggest unexpected fuel disruption, possibly due to cockpit switch positions, thrusting the pilots’ actions into intense scrutiny . Beyond aviation experts, this event has echoed across global news platforms, spurring debate on cockpit safety, pilot protocols, mental health, and broader flight industry reforms.

What Happened – Timeline of the Flight

• June 12, 2025, 13:39 IST (08:09 GMT): AI 171 departs from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

• ~30–40 seconds later: Both engines lose thrust after fuel-cutoff switches are moved to “CUT-OFF” mode .

• Emergency response: A Ram Air Turbine deploys, indicating auxiliary power engagement .

• Crash: The aircraft strikes a hostel at B. J. Medical College, bursting into flames. One passenger survives; 19 individuals on the ground perish and 67 are injured.

Preliminary Investigation – Insights and Findings

Fuel-Cutoff Switch Confusion

Investigators discovered that the fuel-control switches for both engines were found in the OFF (CUT-OFF) position during the crash, then restored to “RUN” before impact—altogether within 10 seconds. This suggests potential intentional human input in the cockpit activity.

Pilots Clive Kunder and Captain Sumeet Sabharwal were captured on the cockpit voice recorder:

“Why did you cut off?” — followed by “I did not do so.”

Sudden engine shutdowns at low altitude left no room for recovery, even after momentarily restoring fuel.

Mechanical Reliability

Initial reports from Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, confirmed no mechanical or maintenance defects in the aircraft or engines. Boeing and GE also received no immediate safety recommendations.

Human Error vs System Flaws

Speculation continues over whether the switch movements were deliberate, accidental, or due to electrical glitches.

• US experts note the highly unlikely odds—“two and a half billion to one”—of simultaneous accidental engine shutdowns .

• Pilot associations, like the Federation of Indian Pilots and ALPA India, allege the report prematurely suggests pilot error, potentially damaging professional reputations.

Mental Health and Intentionality

Questions arise around Captain Sabharwal’s mental health, given anecdotal references to depression in the leaked media. Experts argue the fuel-switch panel design makes accidental switch-offs extremely unlikely.

Call for Cockpit Video Recorders

The crash has reignited debate on cockpit video recording to supplement existing audio data, with aviation bodies saying video footage would help clarify causation.

Key Crash Details & Investigation Status

Context & Past Air India Incidents

Although AI 171 is the first fatal Dreamliner accident, Air India has a long aviation history:

Major Air India and Air India Express Incidents

1. Air India Express Flight 1344 (2020): Overran runway at Kozhikode in poor weather; 21 died.

2. Air India Express Flight 812 (2010): Ran off runway in Mangalore; 158 fatalities .

3. Air India Flight 855 (1978): Crashed due to spatial disorientation over Arabian Sea; all 213 onboard lost .

4. Air India Flight 101 (1966): Controlled flight into Mont Blanc; 117 fatalities .

5. Air India Flight 182 (1985): Bombing over Atlantic; 329 fatalities .

Investigation Process & Next Steps

• Initial Report Released (~30 days post-crash): Prompted national and internal reviews.

• Final Report Due: Typically within a year, offering definitive findings and recommendations .

• Global Involvement: Teams from AAIB, NTSB, Boeing, GE, FAA (U.S.), and others are contributing .

• Regulatory Actions: India and South Korea reviewing Boeing switch designs; FAA advisory from 2018 highlighted switch locking concerns.

Critical Safety and Policy Considerations

1. Cockpit video recorders: Enhance investigation clarity but raise privacy concerns .

2. Design reassessment: Ensure fuel-switch guards prevent inadvertent activation.

3. Mental health protocols: Incorporate regular psychological evaluations for pilots.

4. Pilot training: Instruction on emergency switch handling during low-altitude flight.

5. Industry-wide audits: Boeing review of past switch issues and lock mechanisms.

6. Media responsibility: Avoid premature blame dissemination to protect integrity.

Human Toll & Public Reactions

Families of victims expressed overwhelming grief and demanded accountability. International media and public forums are calling for:

• Transparency in reporting findings.

• Swift regulatory reforms to ensure no repeat tragedies.

• Balanced narrative, avoiding quick conclusions.

Air India and India’s civil aviation ministry have urged patience, asking media and public to await the final, conclusive investigation report 

Broader Industry Implications

AI 171 is a wake-up call:

• Safety Governance: Even modern fleets need continuous oversight.

• Engineers & Pilots: Must remain vigilant after automated advancements.

• Public Confidence: Requiring openness and corrective action to maintain trust.

Conclusion

The tragic crash of Air India Flight AI 171 is an intricate and painful chapter in aviation history. The preliminary investigation highlights potential human input and causes major questions about cockpit design, mental health protocols, and aviation safety culture.

As India engages globally—AAFIB, Boeing, FAA, NTSB—and as other nations conduct safety audits, the urgency is clear: ensure cockpit systems cannot be misused, and maintain rigorous pilot wellness standards.

As we await the final AAIB report, one lesson stands: aviation safety demands relentless scrutiny, transparency, and innovation, especially in preventing avoidable tragedies.