What Brought Down Air India Flight AI-171? Early Clues Point to Power Failure

In a chilling turn of events on June 12, Air India flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed within moments of takeoff, claiming 33 lives on the ground. Investigators now suspect a sudden electrical failure brought down the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which reached only 625 feet before slamming into a medical hostel building.

A Crash Within Seconds

Just seconds after takeoff at 1:39 PM, pilots reported a loss of thrust. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, never reached the safe altitude of 3,600 feet required to circle back or activate emergency systems. Radio contact was lost, and within a minute, the jet had crashed into a densely populated area near Meghani Nagar.

The Suspected Trigger: Total Power Failure

Initial assessments suggest a failure in the aircraft’s main electrical system. Visual evidence, takeoff footage, and Air Traffic Control logs indicate a possible blackout just as the Dreamliner began to climb. The altitude was too low to engage the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a critical backup power source designed to kick in during such failures.

What the Black Boxes Might Reveal

The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) were recovered 28 hours after the crash. Currently in the custody of India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), these will be vital in understanding the final seconds. Officials clarify that no decision has yet been made about sending them abroad for analysis.

“It has been reported in certain media outlets that the CVR/DFDR (black box) from the ill-fated AI171 flight is being sent abroad for retrieval and analysis… the decision regarding the location for decoding the flight recorders will be taken by the AAIB after due assessment of all technical, safety, and security considerations," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a statement.

Manual Efforts, But Not Enough Height

Investigators believe the pilots tried to recover control manually using reversionary systems. But the plane didn’t have enough altitude to stabilize or return. The aircraft reportedly pitched up for takeoff but couldn’t climb further. A steep descent followed, and the impact tore the tail section off.

Maintenance Logs Under the Microscope

Investigators are poring over the aircraft’s technical and maintenance history from the 48 hours leading up to the crash. The Dreamliner had recently flown Delhi-Paris and Delhi-Tokyo round trips. Any prior alerts, including ECAM warnings or unusual engine behavior, are under close scrutiny.

Fuel Contamination: A Likely Suspect?

While sabotage is not suspected, officials are exploring fuel contamination—especially water in the fuel system—as a possible cause. This can trigger corrosion or blockages and typically goes undetected until takeoff. Chemical analysis of wreckage near the fuel tanks is ongoing.

Similar Crash, Different Outcome

The case draws eerie parallels to a 2020 Gatwick incident where an Airbus A321 suffered engine failure due to fuel contamination. That aircraft managed a safe return only because it had reached 3,580 feet. In contrast, AI-171 didn’t make it past 625 feet, rendering all fail-safes ineffective.

A First for the Dreamliner

This marks the first major crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a jet known for its modern safety systems. Capable of flying on one engine and handling hydraulic failures manually, the aircraft’s capabilities were limited by the low altitude in this case.

Key Questions Ahead

Why didn’t pre-flight checks catch any issues? Was the fuel quality verified thoroughly? Could engineers have missed subtle warning signs? These questions lie at the heart of an investigation that aims to leave no stone unturned.

Survivor and Aftermath

Incredibly, one passenger—Viswashkumar Ramesh—survived after being flung clear from the wreckage. The crash has led to renewed calls for tighter last-minute checks, better fuel testing, and quicker response protocols. The final answer, however, lies buried in black box data and fuel system forensics.

As investigators dig deeper, one truth stands out: even the most advanced machines can be undone in mere seconds if the tiniest fault goes unnoticed.