Preliminary Findings on AI 171 Crash

A preliminary investigation into the Air India AI 171 crash has uncovered critical details about the incident. The report highlights a sudden fuel cutoff to both engines shortly after the aircraft took off from Ahmedabad. This unexpected event occurred while the London-bound Boeing 787 was carrying a substantial load, which contributed to its inability to gain sufficient altitude. As a result, the aircraft clipped nearby structures before ultimately crashing into a building.

Impact of Fuel Cutoff on Flight Performance

The sudden fuel cutoff had a catastrophic impact on the aircraft’s performance. With both engines losing power almost immediately after takeoff, the Boeing 787 struggled to maintain the necessary lift. This situation was exacerbated by the heavy load it was carrying, further hindering its ability to ascend safely. The combination of these factors led to the tragic sequence of events that followed.

Visual Evidence from the Wreckage

Images from the crash site provide visual evidence of the aftermath, showing the extent of damage sustained by the aircraft and surrounding structures. The wreckage analysis revealed that the fuel switches were found in the ‘RUN’ position, raising questions about what might have caused the engines to lose power so abruptly.

Implications for Aviation Safety

This incident underscores the critical importance of thorough pre-flight checks and monitoring systems that ensure all aircraft components are functioning correctly. The findings from this investigation could lead to significant changes in safety protocols and training procedures for airline personnel, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps

Authorities continue to investigate the root causes of this tragic accident. Further analysis and data collection are expected to provide more insights into what went wrong and how such incidents can be avoided in future flights.