New Delhi / Ahmedabad: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday released its preliminary report into the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash that killed 250 people. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plunged into a medical hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12.
The report reveals that both engines lost thrust due to fuel control switches being turned off, resulting in immediate power loss.
🎧 The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured a chilling exchange between the two pilots:
- Pilot 1: “Why did you cut off the fuel?”
- Pilot 2: “I did not do so.”
Investigators recovered data from the plane’s black boxes — which include the CVR and flight data recorder (FDR) — to reconstruct the final seconds of the flight.
🔍 What Are Black Boxes and How Do They Work?
Black boxes, which are actually bright orange for visibility, are crucial in crash investigations:
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Captures pilot conversations, ATC communication, engine noise, and cockpit alarms.
- Flight Data Recorder (FDR): Monitors up to 1,000+ data points, including speed, altitude, flap positions, and engine performance.
Together, they provide a minute-by-minute reconstruction of a flight’s final moments.
Though referred to as “black boxes,” the name comes from early versions that used film in light-tight cases. Today’s models are made of titanium or stainless steel, with thermal and shock resistance, allowing them to survive even catastrophic crashes.
📊 Crash Report Key Highlights:
- Both engines lost thrust 30 seconds after takeoff.
- Fuel control switches were turned off, though investigators are unclear whether this was accidental or deliberate.
- No mechanical fault found in the Boeing 787 or its GE engines so far.
- Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment suggests possible dual engine failure.
- Experts say engine restart at low altitude was not feasible.
This is India’s first black box investigation involving international aviation agencies and crash experts, including the US NTSB.