Air India AI171 Crash: Preliminary Report Reveals Simultaneous Engine Failure

Tragedy struck shortly after takeoff when Air India flight AI171 experienced a sudden and catastrophic loss of power, plummeting back to the ground. A newly released 15-page preliminary report sheds light on the harrowing final moments of the flight, revealing that the fuel supply to both engines was cut off within a mere second of each other.

Engine Failure Led to Cockpit Confusion and Rapid Descent

This simultaneous fuel cutoff created immense confusion in the cockpit as the pilots struggled to comprehend and address the rapidly unfolding emergency. The sudden loss of power left them with little time to react, leading to the aircraft’s almost immediate descent and subsequent crash. The report highlights the swiftness of the events, emphasizing the challenging circumstances faced by the crew.

International Collaboration in the Investigation

The investigation into this devastating incident was a collaborative effort, bringing together expertise from across the globe. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIIB) worked closely with the UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to piece together the sequence of events leading to the crash. Their combined efforts aim to uncover the root cause of the engine failure and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.