How the Air India Crash Investigation Is Revealing a Shocking Chain of Events.

Published on 18 June 2025, by Alankrita Mukherjee | Delhi, India

In under 40 seconds, Air India Flight 171 was airborne before it tragically plunged into a crowded neighborhood in Ahmedabad, marking one of the most unsettling aviation disasters in India’s recent history.

Investigators now face the daunting task of combing through wreckage and analyzing data from the cockpit voice and flight data recorders of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The goal: to reconstruct the critical moments after takeoff and understand what led to the catastrophic crash. According to international aviation regulations, a preliminary report must be released within 30 days, with a final report expected within a year.

The Air India Boeing 787, that crashed in Ahmedabad last week, seen here over Melbourne in December

The London-bound flight, operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar, departed from Ahmedabad at 13:39 IST on Thursday with 242 passengers and nearly 100 tonnes of fuel onboard. Moments later, a distress call came from the cockpit, the last known communication before the aircraft lost altitude and crashed in flames.

Aviation experts describe this case as highly unusual, a rare example of a controlled flight crashing just moments after takeoff. Multiple potential causes are being examined: dual engine failure from bird strikes or fuel issues, incorrect flap settings, extreme heat, maintenance lapses, or even a cockpit error that may have interrupted fuel supply.

Indian Army engineers prepare to remove wreckage of the Air India flight in Ahmedabad

The investigation will look into all these possibilities. Experts will compare physical evidence from the crash site with flight data to piece together what happened. Key evidence may lie in the engines, if the turbines were spinning at the time of impact, it suggests they were producing thrust. If not, attention may shift quickly to onboard systems or human error.

The aircraft’s Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders, often referred to as “black boxes”, have been recovered and will play a central role in the investigation. These devices store a vast range of data, including engine output, flap positions, fuel levels, and more, along with cockpit audio recordings that capture pilot communication and background sounds.

The Boeing 787 slammed into a hostel for medical students outside the airport in Ahmedabad

If the data shows engines were functioning normally, investigators will analyze whether the flaps and slats (which help generate lift) were properly deployed. If those are also in order, the inquiry will become more complex, potentially pointing toward issues with the aircraft’s flight management control system, a high-tech suite that governs performance and navigation.

Given the Dreamliner’s widespread use globally, over 1,100 in service since 2011, the implications of a systemic failure could be far-reaching.

So far, there is no indication of negligence. India’s civil aviation ministry noted that inspections of 24 out of 33 aircraft in Air India’s Dreamliner fleet found no major safety concerns. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, has deferred to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is leading the investigation.

Analysis is underway at AAIB’s lab in Delhi, supported by specialists from Boeing, engine manufacturer GE, Air India, Indian regulators, and international agencies from the UK and the U.S.

Experts note that while determining the cause of an accident can take time, initial indicators of what occurred typically emerge more quickly.

Investigators are collecting every part of the aircraft — wires, bolts, panels, and may reconstruct sections to better understand the sequence of damage. This method was notably used in previous crashes, such as the 2014 Malaysia Airlines MH17 case, where physical reconstruction provided key insights.

In this case, a full reconstruction may not be needed if the flight recorders provide sufficient data. Engine components, including fuel filters, lines, valves, and any remaining fuel, will be tested for contamination. Refueling equipment used before takeoff has reportedly been secured and inspected.

The landing gear of Air India 171 at the site of the crash in Ahmedabad

Investigators will study the aircraft’s maintenance history, fault logs, and communication records, including those transmitted via ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System), which relays technical data to both the airline and Boeing.

The pilots’ records, including training, simulator sessions, and previous flight histories, are also being examined, along with any past issues flagged in the aircraft’s operational history.

Experts emphasize the technical depth and complexity of such investigations. However, modern technology allows investigators to work with far more data than in the past, today’s recorders log hundreds to thousands of parameters every second, drastically improving investigative accuracy.

While many questions remain, the work ahead aims to bring clarity to a tragedy that unfolded in less than a minute, and to ensure that the skies remain safer for all.