BREAKING: Black Box of Air India Flight 171 Reveals Dual Engine Failure in 33 Seconds — Sabotage and Technical Errors Under Investigation

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, claiming the lives of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board, along with at least 29 people on the ground. The catastrophic incident, marking India’s worst aviation disaster in decades and the first total loss of a Boeing 787, has left investigators grappling with critical questions about its cause. Recent analysis of the aircraft’s black box data has revealed a chilling detail: both engines failed within a mere 33 seconds of each other, prompting a multi-faceted investigation into potential sabotage, technical malfunctions, and human error. This article delves into the latest findings, the ongoing probe, and the broader implications for aviation safety.

The Crash: A Tragic Sequence of Events

Air India Flight AI-171 took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on the afternoon of June 12, 2025. According to flight tracking data, the aircraft appeared to operate normally during its initial ascent. However, within seconds of leaving the runway, it struggled to gain altitude, descending at a rate of approximately 475 feet per minute before crashing into the complex of BJ Medical College, less than 2 kilometers from the airport. The impact, just 30 seconds after takeoff, triggered a devastating fire, leaving only one survivor among the passengers and crew.

Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage indicate the aircraft issued a “Mayday” call moments before the crash, with the pilot reporting, “no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.” The deployment of the ram air turbine (RAT), an emergency power generator, further suggests a critical systems failure. The black boxes—comprising the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—were recovered from the wreckage on June 13 and 16, respectively, and transported to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) lab in Delhi for analysis by June 24.

Black Box Revelations: Dual Engine Failure in 33 Seconds

The black box data, successfully downloaded on June 26, 2025, has provided critical insights into the final moments of Flight AI-171. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the Flight Data Recorder indicates that both General Electric engines on the Boeing 787 failed within 33 seconds of each other, an extraordinarily rare occurrence. This dual engine failure, occurring at an altitude of less than 400 feet, left the pilots with virtually no time to recover or execute emergency procedures. The Cockpit Voice Recorder, which captured the pilots’ communications, reportedly includes the frantic Mayday call and discussions about the sudden loss of thrust.

The simultaneous failure of both engines is described as a “rare case” by India’s Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, who noted that “it has never happened that both engines have shut down together.” This anomaly has shifted the investigation’s focus toward three primary angles: technical malfunction, human error, and sabotage.

Investigating Technical Malfunctions

A leading theory in the investigation centers on a technical fault that could have caused the dual engine failure. Air India pilots conducted independent flight simulations in Mumbai, replicating the conditions of Flight AI-171, including the deployed landing gear and retracted wing flaps. These simulations, while unable to fully replicate the catastrophic descent, pointed to a potential systems failure, possibly related to power or hydraulic loss. The activation of the ram air turbine seconds before impact further supports this hypothesis, as it indicates a loss of primary power sources.

Investigators are examining several technical possibilities, including fuel contamination, software glitches, or mechanical issues with the engines. Fuel contamination, in particular, has emerged as a key focus, as it could explain why both engines failed almost simultaneously. However, a bird strike, another potential cause, is considered less likely, as the Boeing 787 is designed to operate on a single engine in such scenarios. The flight tracking data also revealed an unusual maneuver: the aircraft may have backtracked on the runway to utilize its full 3.5-kilometer length, which could indicate issues with engine performance or configuration even before takeoff.

The Sabotage Angle: A Disturbing Possibility

While technical issues dominate the investigation, the possibility of sabotage has not been ruled out. Minister Mohol confirmed that the AAIB, supported by international experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing, is probing all angles, including “possible sabotage.” This line of inquiry gained traction due to the unprecedented nature of the dual engine failure and the lack of immediate evidence pointing to a clear technical cause. Indian security agencies are conducting background checks on maintenance technicians and support staff who interacted with the aircraft, looking for any signs of negligence or intentional foul play.

Speculation about sabotage has been fueled by posts on X, with some users citing political tensions as a possible motive, though no concrete evidence supports these claims. The investigation is also reviewing CCTV footage from Ahmedabad Airport to identify any suspicious activity around the aircraft prior to takeoff. While sabotage remains a secondary focus compared to technical issues, its inclusion underscores the authorities’ commitment to a thorough investigation.

Human Error and Systemic Challenges

Human error is another critical angle under scrutiny. The black box data is being analyzed to assess the crew’s actions, including their response to the sudden loss of thrust and the configuration of the aircraft’s flaps and landing gear. Initial reports suggest that the pilots issued a “don’t sink” caution as the aircraft lost altitude, indicating awareness of the emergency but insufficient time to recover. Air India pilots are not trained to handle dual engine failures at such low altitudes, as such scenarios are considered nearly impossible to recover from, a practice referred to as “negative training.”

The investigation is also examining broader systemic issues within India’s aviation sector. Minister Mohol highlighted 419 technical vacancies at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which could impact oversight and maintenance standards. Concerns about overworked pilots and inadequate training protocols have also surfaced, raising questions about whether systemic lapses contributed to the crash.

International Collaboration and Next Steps

The AAIB is leading the investigation in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) protocols, with assistance from the NTSB and Boeing. The black boxes are being analyzed in Delhi, with no plans to send them abroad, as India has the necessary expertise to decode the data. A preliminary report is expected by mid-July, with a comprehensive report anticipated within three months of the crash. This report will include details about the aircraft, crew, airport conditions, and weather on June 12, aiming to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify contributing factors.

Aviation expert Peter Goelz noted that the black box data, particularly the Flight Data Recorder, could reveal whether the engines were generating power at the time of impact. “You can tell from the damage whether the engines were generating power at impact; turbines fracture differently when spinning at high speed,” he said. This analysis will be crucial in determining whether the engines failed due to internal issues or external interference.

Implications for Aviation Safety

The crash of Flight AI-171 has sent shockwaves through the global aviation community, marking the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011. The findings of this investigation could have far-reaching implications for the aviation industry, particularly regarding the reliability of the Boeing 787’s systems and the protocols for handling rare but catastrophic failures. If sabotage is confirmed, it could prompt a reevaluation of security measures at airports worldwide. Conversely, if a technical flaw is identified, it may lead to mandatory inspections or modifications for the global Boeing 787 fleet.

The tragedy has also reignited discussions about aviation safety in India, where rapid growth in air travel has strained regulatory and operational frameworks. The government’s commitment to filling technical vacancies and improving training protocols will be closely watched as part of efforts to prevent future incidents.

Conclusion

The crash of Air India Flight AI-171 remains a haunting mystery, with the black box data revealing a rapid and catastrophic dual engine failure that left the pilots with no chance to save the aircraft. As investigators probe technical malfunctions, human error, and the chilling possibility of sabotage, the world awaits answers that could reshape aviation safety. The preliminary report, due by mid-July, will provide critical insights, but the full truth may not emerge until the comprehensive report is released in September. Until then, the families of the 270 victims, the aviation industry, and the public will continue to seek closure and clarity in the wake of this devastating tragedy.