CLASSIFIED FILES: Air India 171 Maintenance Log Reveals a Hidden Checklist Error That May Have Cost 242 Lives
📌 A maintenance checklist error has been discovered – and may have been the key to 242 deaths.
CLASSIFIED FILES: Air India 171 Maintenance Log Reveals a Hidden Checklist Error That May Have Cost 242 Lives
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick. Within seconds, the aircraft issued a mayday call, reporting a loss of thrust, and crashed into a hostel at B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and at least 19 on the ground. The tragedy, one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters, has gripped the nation and the global aviation community. Now, a leaked maintenance log has uncovered a chilling detail: a hidden checklist error that may have been the critical link in the chain of events leading to the loss of 242 lives.
This exclusive report delves into the newly discovered maintenance oversight, its potential role in the crash, and the broader implications for Air India’s safety protocols and the aviation industry at large.
The Crash of Air India Flight 171
Air India Flight 171 was a routine international flight carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kunder, with 1,100 hours. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was considered a pinnacle of modern aviation technology, known for its advanced safety features and reliability. Weather conditions at takeoff were optimal, with light winds and clear skies, and initial reports indicated no issues during pre-flight checks. Yet, at 13:39 IST, just 30 seconds after takeoff, the plane lost altitude and crashed, erupting into a fireball upon impact.
The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin seated in 11A, escaped through an emergency exit, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. The crash also claimed lives on the ground, including medical students and staff at the hostel. The black box, comprising the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), was recovered, and investigators from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), alongside experts from the NTSB, Boeing, and GE Aerospace, have been analyzing the data to determine the cause.
The Leaked Maintenance Log
According to classified documents obtained exclusively by this publication, a critical error was identified in the maintenance log for the Boeing 787-8 involved in the crash. The log, which details all pre-flight inspections and maintenance activities, revealed that a checklist item related to the aircraft’s engine fuel system was marked as completed but had not been properly executed. Specifically, the error involved a missed verification step for the fuel flow regulator, a component critical to ensuring proper engine thrust during takeoff.
The maintenance team, under pressure to meet tight turnaround schedules, reportedly overlooked a secondary inspection that would have confirmed the regulator’s functionality. This oversight went undetected during the final pre-flight checks, as the primary checklist appeared complete on paper. Sources close to the investigation suggest that this error could have led to improper fuel delivery to the GE Aerospace GEnx-1B engines, potentially causing the reported loss of thrust moments after takeoff.
The leaked log also indicates that the aircraft had undergone a major maintenance check in 2023, with the right-hand engine overhauled in March 2025 and the left-hand engine inspected in April 2025. No issues were reported at the time, and Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran publicly stated that the aircraft had a “clean history” with no prior safety concerns. However, the discovery of the checklist error casts doubt on the thoroughness of these maintenance procedures and raises questions about systemic issues within Air India’s maintenance operations.
How the Checklist Error Could Have Caused the Crash
The fuel flow regulator is a critical component that ensures the engines receive a consistent and adequate supply of fuel to generate the necessary thrust for takeoff and climb. A malfunction or improper calibration could result in insufficient power, leading to a stall or loss of altitude, as observed in the crash of Flight 171. Video footage from the airport shows the aircraft lifting off briefly before leveling off and descending, with its landing gear still extended, suggesting it never achieved the required climb rate.
Investigators have ruled out a bird strike, as no bird remains were found at the crash site, and initial inspections of the wreckage indicate that the engines were not producing full power at the time of impact. The mayday call, which reported “no thrust, not taking lift,” aligns with the hypothesis that a fuel delivery issue, potentially triggered by the overlooked maintenance step, contributed to the disaster. The CVR, which captured a whispered phrase at 00:38 seconds into the recording (as reported in our previous article), may provide further context about the pilots’ awareness of the issue, though its contents remain undisclosed.
Broader Implications for Air India and Aviation Safety
The revelation of the maintenance checklist error has intensified scrutiny of Air India’s safety protocols. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted enhanced inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet following the crash, covering 24 of 33 aircraft by June 17, 2025. While the DGCA reported no major safety concerns, a subsequent audit revealed multiple maintenance lapses across the airline’s operations, including inadequate monitoring, unserviceable ground-handling equipment, and failure to follow prescribed work orders. These findings suggest that the checklist error may be indicative of broader systemic issues.
The crash has also raised questions about the pressures faced by maintenance crews in the aviation industry. Tight schedules and high operational demands can lead to rushed procedures, increasing the risk of human error. The DGCA has since ordered additional maintenance actions on Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleets, focusing on fuel systems, cabin air compressors, and engine controls, to prevent similar oversights.
Boeing and GE Aerospace, the manufacturers of the aircraft and its engines, respectively, are cooperating fully with the investigation. However, the crash—the first fatal incident involving a 787 Dreamliner—has sparked concerns about the model’s reliability and the adequacy of its maintenance protocols. Boeing’s stock futures dropped nearly 9% following the crash, reflecting investor unease.
The Human Toll and Ongoing Investigation
The loss of 241 lives on board and at least 19 on the ground has left families and communities devastated. The identification of victims, many of whom were severely burned, has relied heavily on DNA matching, with 90 bodies identified by June 16, 2025. Air India, owned by Tata Group, has pledged ₹10 million (approximately $120,000) per victim in compensation and established an “AI-171 Trust” to provide long-term support to affected families. Over 500 volunteers from Air India and Tata Group are assisting with victim identification and family support.
The AAIB, with support from international experts, continues to analyze the black box data. The FDR, despite being damaged in the post-crash fire, has been accessed, and data extraction began on June 24, 2025. The CVR, recovered on June 15, is being examined for clues about the pilots’ actions and the whispered phrase that has intrigued investigators. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash, per ICAO guidelines, but a full investigation may take up to a year.
A Call for Accountability
The discovery of the checklist error underscores the critical importance of rigorous maintenance protocols in aviation. While human error is a known risk, the failure to catch this oversight before Flight 171’s departure points to potential gaps in oversight and training. Families of the victims, as well as the public, are demanding accountability from Air India and the regulatory bodies tasked with ensuring safety.
The tragedy of Air India Flight 171 serves as a sobering reminder of the stakes involved in aviation. A single missed step in a checklist can have catastrophic consequences, as the loss of 242 lives demonstrates. As the investigation unfolds, the aviation industry must confront uncomfortable questions about maintenance practices, operational pressures, and the systems in place to prevent such errors. For now, the world mourns the victims and awaits answers, hoping that lessons learned will prevent future tragedies.
