Inside Cockpit of AI 171: Last Conversation Between Pilots Before Crash Revealed

Inside Cockpit of AI 171: Investigators have found something very disturbing in the initial probe into the Air India Flight 171 crash that killed 260 people in June.

According to the cockpit voice recorder analysed by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the first sign of something going terribly wrong happened seconds after takeoff. Both engines — critical for thrust and climb — lost power. The thrust levers were forward but both fuel control switches had been moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ mid-air.

The two pilots flying AI171 were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and first officer Clive Kunder. Captain Sabharwal, 56, was a very experienced pilot with over 15,600 hours of flying time, including over 8,500 hours on the Boeing 787.

First officer Kunder, 32, had over 3,400 hours of flying time and was with Air India since 2017. Both were licensed and qualified to fly the Boeing 787.

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The report outlines a chain of technical events that unfolded in the last few minutes before the aircraft, flying as AI 171 to London Gatwick, crashed into the hostel complex of B J Medical College just after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport.

The report says engine 1’s switch was moved back to ‘Run’ at 13:38:52 IST (08:08:52 UTC) and engine 2 at 13:38:56 IST (08:08:56 UTC). The engine and Aircraft Flight Recorder (EAFR) showed a rise in Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) for both engines, indicating relight activity.

Engine 1’s core deceleration stopped and started recovering. But engine 2 failed to stabilise despite multiple fuel reintroduction attempts. Both engines’ N2 values, a key indicator of core rotor speed, had fallen below the minimum idle level.

“Both engines were retrieved from the wreckage site and quarantined at a hangar in the airport,” the AAIB said. “Components of interest for further examinations have been identified and quarantined,” it added.

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AAIB said wreckage site operations, including drone photography and videography, have been completed and the wreckage has been moved to a secure location.

The aft section of the EAFR was found to be damaged beyond recognition in the crash and could not be downloaded using conventional methods.

No safety recommendations have been issued yet for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers. “Additional evidence is being sought from stakeholders and will be examined,” the report added.

The ministry of civil aviation had released a status report on the crash on June 26. The final AAIB report will be issued after further analysis.

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