Last Words of Pilots in Crashed Air India That Might Have Caused Death of 241

• Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to Gatwick (LGW) in London from Ahmedabad (AMD), crashed in June 2025
• The Air India plane crash claimed the lives of 241 people on board, except one who survived, while 19 others at the residential area it crashed into also died
• Preliminary report on the cause of the crash from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) showed the pilots' communications that suggest their actions led to the crash

Air India is owned by the Tata Group, had one of its flights, Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to Gatwick (LGW) in London from Ahmedabad (AMD), which crashed on June 12, 2025, shortly after taking off.

The air accident led to the death of 241 on board, except one. It also led to the death of 19 others who were on the ground. It was the deadliest air accident in recent times.

Preliminary report on Air India crash

Preliminary report on the cause of the crash from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has indicated that the two engine fuel control switches were simultaneously moved to "Cutoff", which led to the loss of thrust in the air. With the report, investigators are now looking at the crew's actions rather than mechanical faults.

The aircraft, which was registered as VT-ANB, earlier landed on the same day from Delhi before it was cleared for its flight to the United Kingdom. It was carrying 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew and two flight crew members. It was reported that the aircraft received its clearance for takeoff at about 08:07 UTC from runway 23 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (VAAH).

EAFRs data of the crashed Air India

The Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs) data revealed more details about the incident. During the time that the failure happened, a cockpit voice recorder captured a question asked by one of the pilots, “Why did you cut off?”. This indicated that the action was not intentional.

According to the data, another pilot responded and denied it. The co-pilot was flying the aircraft while the captain was saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the pilot.

The two engines started a relight sequence within 10 seconds after their switches were turned to the "run" position. Unfortunately, the recovery was not sufficient. One of the engines showed the signs of stabilisation while the other failed to regain its core speed.

Thus, the failure of the aircraft to maintain its altitude led to the disaster. It impacted buildings within just one nautical mile of the departure end of the runway.

Pilots panic after Air India crash

Legit.ng earlier reported that an Air India pilot has reportedly experienced a severe panic attack when he was about to take off at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

The development disrupted the flight, and it happened after the aircraft's recent crash, where 279 people on board died

The Air India pilot was in Flight AI 157 to Copenhagen (CPH) aboard a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

Source: Legit.ng