The crash of Air India Flight 171, which claimed 260 lives last month, remains a mystery. The Boeing 787 plunged just 30 seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad airport, killing almost everyone on board. Only one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived. The plane struck a hospital building, causing 19 more deaths on the ground.
Investigators revealed that both engines lost power seconds after take-off when the fuel control switches were turned off. Cockpit recordings capture one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” The co-pilot responded, “I didn’t.” It’s still unclear who flipped the switches or why.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has warned against “unverified reporting,” urging patience while the investigation continues. Aviation expert Shawn Pruchnicki cautioned, “It’s dangerous to assume intentional action with such limited information.”
A final report may take up to a year, but experts insist on transparency. Former NTSB director Peter Goelz called for a full cockpit transcript, saying it could provide key answers about the tragic chain of events.
