On takeoff from Ahmedabad, Air India Flight 171 experienced a sudden and total loss of engine power, crashing within 60 seconds and killing all 260 passengers and crew. Investigators quickly focused on the unusual fact that both engines had been manually shut down during the most critical phase of flight.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has fuel control switches designed with safeguards to prevent accidental shutdowns. These switches require a three-step motion to move from “run” to “cutoff.” Data indicated that on Flight 171, both switches were moved within one second of each other. The ram air turbine (RAT) deployed immediately, signaling total engine loss. Cockpit recordings suggest one pilot questioned the other, but there were no signs of confusion, prior mental health issues, or indications of suicide.

Investigators considered whether system design vulnerabilities could have played a role. A 2018 FAA bulletin had warned that similar switches on Boeing aircraft could, in rare circumstances, be moved too easily if detents were not functioning. The bulletin was advisory only; Boeing never issued a mandatory fix, and Air India did not inspect the switches. This raised the possibility that the system itself allowed the shutdown.

Whistleblowers testified that Boeing had been aware of structural, procedural, and quality control issues within the 787 program, including single-point failures and inadequate safeguards in cockpit systems. Internal memos indicated that risks associated with fuel control switches were considered operationally acceptable despite potential catastrophic consequences.

The investigation concluded that the crash was enabled not by mechanical failure or pilot error alone, but by systemic vulnerabilities and lapses in oversight, design safeguards, and regulatory enforcement. While the precise motivation behind the cockpit actions remains unclear, the broader context points to preventable risks in the aircraft’s design and corporate practices.

The tragedy highlights the critical importance of accountability, rigorous system safeguards, and proactive response to identified safety risks in aviation.