Preliminary Report Cites Electrical Failure in Ahmedabad Air India Dreamliner Crash
New Delhi: The preliminary investigation into the tragic Air India Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad has revealed that the accident was caused by a critical failure in the aircraft’s electrical system, leading to the simultaneous shutdown of both engines shortly after takeoff. The findings were released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is overseeing the probe into one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
The AAIB report confirms that both engines of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lost power within seconds of liftoff, resulting in the aircraft crashing before any recovery could be initiated. A key detail from the cockpit voice recorder indicates that the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches were manually turned off, though it remains unclear by whom.
The cockpit recording captured one pilot questioning the other:
“Who turned off the switches?”
To which the other responded:
“It wasn’t me.”
The report states that even if the switches were reactivated immediately, the engines would not have had sufficient time to restart, making the crash unavoidable at that point.
Investigation Calls for Further Inquiry
While the preliminary findings have established a loss of engine power due to electrical system failure, the AAIB has called for a comprehensive investigation to determine the underlying technical or procedural lapses that may have led to the malfunction. The report was submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and is expected to form the basis for further safety reviews and recommendations.
The flight was being operated by co-pilot Clive Kunder, who had 1,100 hours of flight experience, while Captain Sumit Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with over 8,600 hours on the Boeing 787, was acting as pilot-in-command and observing the flight. Both had received adequate rest prior to duty and were declared fit to fly.
The aircraft was en route from Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport in London when the incident occurred. Onboard were 230 passengers and 10 crew members—15 in business class and 215 in economy. Tragically, 260 people lost their lives, with only one survivor pulled from the wreckage.
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