Ahmedabad Air India Plane Crash: AAIB Probe Points to Electrical Fire, Not Engine Fault

In a major twist in the Ahmedabad Air India plane crash investigation, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed a new possible cause behind the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171.

The preliminary report now suggests that an electrical fault, not mechanical engine failure, may have led to the fatal incident.

Crash Overview: Air India Boeing 787 Crashed Seconds After Takeoff

On 12 June 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just 26 seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

The aircraft was bound for Delhi and carried over 240 passengers and crew. Tragically, all but one perished. Several people on the ground also lost their lives when the aircraft slammed into the BJ Medical College hostel mess building.

AAIB Preliminary Report: Electrical System Likely Triggered Engine Shutdown

According to the AAIB report dated 12 July, the engines shut down just three seconds after takeoff. Both fuel control switches moved from “Run” to “Cutoff” automatically. Investigators believe this wasn’t a manual error.

Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) revealed a shocking exchange. One pilot asked, “Why did you cut the fuel?” The other replied, “I didn’t do it.”

This exchange has now shifted the entire investigation’s focus to the aircraft’s electrical system.

Fire Traces Found in Rear Section of Aircraft

Investigators recovered debris from the empennage, the aircraft’s tail section. There, they found visible signs of an electrical fire. This finding has led to a renewed theory that the electrical system malfunctioned, sending incorrect signals to the Engine Control Unit (ECU).

This miscommunication may have triggered fuel cutoff, disabling both engines.

Auxiliary Power Unit Intact, But Rear Black Box Severely Damaged

The Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) in the rear remained mostly intact, but the rear black box was badly damaged. Due to this, data recovery became difficult.

Fortunately, investigators successfully retrieved information from the front black box, which is helping to piece together the flight’s final moments.

Earlier Flight Reported a Sensor Malfunction

It has emerged that the previous flight on the same aircraft, AI-423 from Delhi to Ahmedabad, had recorded a fault. The pilot reported a “STAB POS XDCR” (Stabilizer Position Transducer) issue.

This sensor helps manage the aircraft’s pitch and provides key data to the flight control system. After landing, a maintenance check was performed, and the aircraft was cleared for the next flight.

Now, investigators are exploring the possibility that this sensor problem was part of a larger electrical system failure.

Wreckage Clues: Critical Parts Preserved for Analysis

The investigation team has secured key components from the aircraft’s rear wreckage. These include:

• Transducers

• APU Unit

• Tail Rudder Elements

Experts are analyzing these to understand how sensor errors may have misled the aircraft’s ECU, leading to the engine shutdown.

Ram Air Turbine (RAT) Deployed, But Altitude Too Low for Recovery

Once the engines failed, the aircraft deployed its Ram Air Turbine (RAT). This system provides emergency electrical power during total engine failure.

However, the aircraft was flying at just 625 feet, offering no room for recovery or emergency landing.

Survivor Account Strengthens Electrical Fault Theory

The only survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, provided a chilling account. He reported that cabin lights began flashing green and white just before a loud bang.

Moments later, the aircraft crashed. His statement strongly supports the theory of electrical system instability.

Boeing 787’s Electrical Redundancy Couldn’t Prevent Simultaneous Engine Failure

Experts have emphasized that Boeing 787 Dreamliners are built with advanced electrical systems. These systems are designed to support flight even if one engine fails.

But in this case, both engines failed simultaneously, which is an extremely rare aviation event.

Investigators have ruled out typical mechanical issues, making electrical system error the primary suspect.

Fuel Leak Ruled Out After Tests

Another possible theory — fuel leakage — has been dismissed. Samples from airport fuel tanks and aircraft refueling trucks showed no contamination or leakage.

This further narrows the probable cause to internal electrical faults rather than fuel supply chain errors.

Involvement of International Experts in the Investigation

The probe includes officials from:

• Boeing (aircraft manufacturer)

• General Electric (engine manufacturer)

• NTSB (United States)

• CAA (United Kingdom)

All are now assisting India’s AAIB in identifying the chain of failures that led to the crash.

Gujarat Police Rules Out Terror Angle

Gujarat Police investigated the site for any possibility of sabotage or terrorist involvement. However, they found no traces of explosives or suspicious materials in the debris.

This has confirmed the incident as a technical failure, not a criminal act.

Air India Responds: Grounded Fleet and Deep Inspection

Following the crash, Air India grounded its entire Boeing 787 fleet for detailed inspection. After thorough checks, 26 aircraft were eventually cleared for service again.

The airline also launched internal audits and coordinated with Boeing to update its maintenance protocols.

Key Findings So Far

• Electrical fire discovered in the aircraft’s tail section.

• Both engines shut down automatically, just after takeoff.

• Cockpit voice shows pilots did not manually shut off fuel.

• Previous flight had a reported stabilizer sensor fault.

• Rear black box damaged, but front black box helped confirm sequence.

• RAT deployed, but low altitude gave no recovery time.

• Fuel samples found clean — no leakage detected.

• Terrorism ruled out by Gujarat Police.

What Happens Next?

AAIB and international experts are continuing to reconstruct the last moments of AI-171. Their goal is to determine:

• The exact trigger of the electrical malfunction

• How sensor and control units communicated faulty data

• Why backup safety protocols didn’t prevent the crash

More technical reports and possibly a final public report are expected in coming weeks.

The Ahmedabad plane crash has sent ripples across global aviation circles. It raises serious questions about software reliability, electronic signal integrity, and cockpit automation in modern aircraft.

India’s aviation regulator DGCA may introduce new protocols to enhance checks on electronic flight components in all long-haul fleets.