Flight to London Gatwick crashes at airport in India .June 12 th 2025

[emirates1957]

I have a major doubt. There have been posts how the airline AI-171 had returned from a short trip to Ahmedabad and the immediate next trip was an international trip from Ahmedabad to London - implies comparatively a long-distance flight. Don't the authorities check thoroughly for all possible small details before taking-off again ? And in one report it was mentioned that this plane in particular - AI 171 during take-off, it used almost the entire runaway - a 3.5km distance to take off as opposed to an ideal 2.5-3.0 kms. If an airline is not getting enough thrust, then don't the pilots automatically halt the airline or focus to see what the problem is instead of attempting to trying a take-off? Sorry, not sure how the mechanics or working of the airlines / planes work !

Pre flight checks are done on every departure. Walk around the A/C and then there is also a check list in the Flight Deck. I used to do Load Control many years ago…..using extended runway distance means the a/c is heavy with fuel and pax (also hot weather)….just needs more length. You will hear the Pilot’s call V1 which is sufficient speed to abort the take off once you get to v2 rotate you can not abort the take off…..so in my limited knowledge I’m guessing there was enough thrust for climb.

 

[emirates1957]

Don't they have a range for the fuel to be filled up ? I always thought they'll be given a range to fuel up and have to stay within that .
Also, it was mentioned that a few of the passengers couldn't make it to the flight due to various reasons, so even taking that into consideration, the weight should've been compensated or lighter with the missing passengers on board, right ? Plz can you see if you can get these clarified if no problem

All depends on the weight of the aircraft and distance they are flying….they would also check weather en-route as an alternate as may be required and need more fuel. One or 2 no show pax would equate to 180 kgs…..787’s might have been carrying 126 ton of fuel…..therefore the no shows wouldn’t work into the equation.

 

[emirates1957]

And if that does not work, just bang the side of the computer a few times.
Seriously this could be the problem.

I was on an aircraft about 20 years ago. A Saab turboprop. You could see into the cockpit. The pilot could not get the engine to start (starboard). He banged on the console 3-4 times and it then started. Did the same with the port turboprop.

As we were on the taxi run, the pilot apologised for being late as they were having trouble getting the undercarriage down.

Never flew on that airline again.

That’s just ridiculous.

 

[Dotta]

"Air India pilots conduct simulator tests.​

In a separate effort,
a group of senior Air India pilots conducted simulator tests at the airline’s Mumbai training facility
days after the crash.

These tests,
performed by Boeing 787 fleet trainers,
aimed to recreate challenging conditions to better understand the accident.

The simulations involved
flying the aircraft with higher weight,
elevated temperatures,
landing gear down,
and retracted wing flaps at 50 feet.

Results showed that the Boeing 787-8 was able to continue flying under these conditions."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1940716268870685124

 

[thinker47]

And if that does not work, just bang the side of the computer a few times.
Seriously this could be the problem.

I was on an aircraft about 20 years ago. A Saab turboprop. You could see into the cockpit. The pilot could not get the engine to start (starboard). He banged on the console 3-4 times and it then started. Did the same with the port turboprop.

As we were on the taxi run, the pilot apologised for being late as they were having trouble getting the undercarriage down.

Never flew on that airline again.

Cropdusting? Otherwise I'm just going to politely say.... perhaps you were mistaken?

 

[australianwebsleuth]

Cropdusting? Otherwise I'm just going to politely say.... perhaps you were mistaken?

No thinker. Regional airliner based in Sunshine Coast, Queensland. It may have been a Fairchild rather than SAAB. At the time, I wondered whether the pilot was playing a prank on all the passengers. Australian warped sense of humour.

 

[Dotta]

"Crash victims' families claim forced financial disclosures, ​

Air India denies charge.​

Air India has been accused of coercing AI 171 crash victims' families during the compensation process."​

Crash victims' families claim forced financial disclosures, Air India denies charge

Air India has been accused of coercing AI 171 crash victims' families during the compensation process. However, the airline has denied charges.

www.indiatoday.in

https://twitter.com/x/status/1941151328811807022

 

[indicolite22]

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report on the Air India 171 crash to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other relevant authorities.

This report, based on initial assessments and early findings, is expected to be made public later this week, according to top government officials, NDTV said.

AAIB submits preliminary report on Air India plane crash

New Delhi, July 8 (IANS) The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report on the Air India 171 crash to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other relevant authorities.

ianslive.in

 

[indicolite22]

The investigation into the Air India flight 171 crash has zeroed in on the movement of the engine fuel control switches, following an analysis of the Boeing 787's flight and voice data recorders, the Air Current reported on Tuesday.

Air India crash probe focuses on engine fuel control switches, The Air Current reports

The investigation into the Air India flight 171 crash has zeroed in on the movement of the engine fuel control switches, following an analysis of the Boeing 787's flight and voice data recorders, the Air Current reported on Tuesday.

www.reuters.com

Sources familiar with the investigation also say that no mechanical or design issues with the aircraft or its engines were indicated. There were also no signs of fuel contamination or improper flap retraction.

Air India crash investigation focuses on movement of engine fuel control switches

Data from the Dreamliner’s black box points investigators towards improper, inadvertent or intentional pilot actions

theaircurrent.com

 

[australianwebsleuth]

The investigation into the Air India flight 171 crash has zeroed in on the movement of the engine fuel control switches, following an analysis of the Boeing 787's flight and voice data recorders, the Air Current reported on Tuesday.

Air India crash probe focuses on engine fuel control switches, The Air Current reports

The investigation into the Air India flight 171 crash has zeroed in on the movement of the engine fuel control switches, following an analysis of the Boeing 787's flight and voice data recorders, the Air Current reported on Tuesday.

www.reuters.com

Sources familiar with the investigation also say that no mechanical or design issues with the aircraft or its engines were indicated. There were also no signs of fuel contamination or improper flap retraction.

Air India crash investigation focuses on movement of engine fuel control switches

Data from the Dreamliner’s black box points investigators towards improper, inadvertent or intentional pilot actions

theaircurrent.com

Are we heading towards murder by pilot?

 

[australianwebsleuth]

I have been reading about the Autothrottle on Boeing aircraft. To get simultaneous engine loss of thrust as well as electrical failure, the auto throttle must of turned the engines off. I am surprised that this would be possible. If it happened at any other time in the flight envelope it would be recoverable. Happening within seconds of rotation left no time to recover.

I guess we will have to wait for the report. This is my best bet at the moment.

When I wrote this, I didn’t realise the pilot could turn the fuel off to the engines. A fault in both switches seems unlikely unless a power failure can turn them off.

 

[ElizB]

Are we heading towards murder by pilot?

Wonder if anyone was in the jump seat?

 

[ElizB]

DBM

 

[Ssschu]

Are we heading towards murder by pilot?

According to the article, there are safe guards in place that prevent this from happening inadvertently.

 

[australianwebsleuth]

Wonder if anyone was in the jump seat?

It would be interesting to know. The cut off switches are almost on the floor near the jump seat. Since 9/11 I doubt anyone would be allowed to sit there. You never know. I am wondering whether they could be kicked off by someone in the seat.

I looked to see if they could have been switched off instead of raising the landing gear, just unlikely.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1942833977343025576

From this tweet:

The people said the available information on the black boxes could not rule in or out improper, inadvertent or intentional actions that preceded or followed the apparent loss of thrust before the aircraft crashed, the Air Current reported

 

[indicolite22]

The people said the available information on the black boxes could not rule in or out improper, inadvertent or intentional actions that preceded or followed the apparent loss of thrust before the aircraft crashed, the Air Current reported

SBM. Would that include shutting down the wrong engine after a single engine failure? It was suggested early on, but then dismissed as improbable because during takeoff, shutting down a defective engine isn't a priority. In any case, the focus is on the flight crew again. Wouldn't a sabotage be noticed by at least one pilot and the subsequent reaction picked up on the CVR? I remember EgyptAir 990 being one such case.

 

[australianwebsleuth]

SBM. Would that include shutting down the wrong engine after a single engine failure? It was suggested early on, but then dismissed as improbable because during takeoff, shutting down a defective engine isn't a priority. In any case, the focus is on the flight crew again. Wouldn't a sabotage be noticed by at least one pilot and the subsequent reaction picked up on the CVR? I remember EgyptAir 990 being one such case.

Sabotage of what. The black box indicates no issue with the aircraft.

I am struggling to see how the engines could be turned off accidentally.

 

[Cryptic]

Wonder if anyone was in the jump seat?

Maybe.

Due to pilot rest requirements, ultra long range flights need relief flight crew on board. They then rotate to flight duties. I don't know if Mumbai to London is long enough to need relief pilots though.

There is a mini crew rest cabin on the plane. But a relief flight crew might have picked the jump seat for a while.

 

[Cryptic]

It would be interesting to know. The cut off switches are almost on the floor near the jump seat. Since 9/11 I doubt anyone would be allowed to sit there.

I agree, sadly the days of regular people getting to joy ride in the jump seat are over.

But.... due to pilot rest requirements, there could have been relief flight crew on board. One then decides to sit in the jump seat for the take off?