Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the ongoing investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, following the release of the preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday.
In an official statement, Boeing said, “Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected on the ground in Ahmedabad. We continue to support the investigation and our customer.”
The company added that it would defer to the AAIB for all official information regarding the incident, in line with international aviation protocols: “We will defer to the AAIB to provide information about AI171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation protocol known as Annex 13.”
The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, resulted in the deaths of 260 people — including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground.
According to the AAIB’s preliminary 15-page report, a critical sequence of errors unfolded within 90 seconds of takeoff. Both engines of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft shut down unexpectedly during the initial climb after the fuel cutoff switches were inadvertently moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” in rapid succession. One pilot reportedly asked, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other responded, “I did not.”
The loss of thrust activated the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) and sent the aircraft into a rapid descent. Despite efforts by the pilots to restart the engines — with partial recovery noted in Engine 1 — the aircraft failed to regain altitude. A final “MAYDAY” distress call was issued moments before the plane crashed into residential buildings just outside the airport perimeter.
Flight AI171 was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick and carried 230 passengers and crew. The final investigation report is expected in the coming months. The crash ranks among the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history.