THIS JUST IN: Co-Pilot of Air India 171 Reached for Emergency Lever 3 Seconds Before Impact — But What Stopped Him?
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, en route to London Gatwick. The tragedy claimed 241 of the 242 lives on board, with one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, and killed at least 34 people on the ground, marking it as India’s deadliest aviation disaster since 1996. As investigators delve into the cause of the crash, a startling revelation has emerged: the co-pilot, Clive Kundar, reached for the emergency lever just three seconds before impact. But what prevented him from activating it? This question lies at the heart of an intensifying investigation that has raised concerns about technical malfunctions, human error, and even possible sabotage.
The Final Moments of Flight AI-171
Flight AI-171 took off at 1:38 PM Indian Standard Time, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. According to flight tracking data from Flightradar, the aircraft reached an altitude of 625 feet before rapidly descending at a rate of 475 feet per minute. Moments after takeoff, pilot Sumeet Sabharwal, with over 8,200 hours of flying experience, issued a desperate “Mayday… no thrust, losing power, unable to lift” call to Air Traffic Control (ATC). Approximately 15 seconds elapsed between this distress signal and the aircraft’s catastrophic impact into the hostel block of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad’s Meghaninagar neighborhood.
Preliminary findings indicate that the aircraft’s emergency power system, specifically the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), was deployed before the crash. The RAT, a small turbine that extends from the aircraft’s rear during electrical failures, provides essential power to critical systems but cannot generate aerodynamic lift. The fact that the RAT was engaged suggests the crew was grappling with a severe power loss. Yet, the latest revelation—that co-pilot Clive Kundar reached for an emergency lever just three seconds before impact—adds a new layer of complexity to the investigation.
The Emergency Lever: A Last-Ditch Effort
The “emergency lever” in question likely refers to a critical control mechanism, possibly related to the aircraft’s hydraulic or electrical systems, though investigators have not publicly specified its exact function. Some aviation experts speculate it could be tied to the deployment of emergency systems or an attempt to manually override failing components. Posts on X have suggested that the co-pilot’s action may have been a response to a catastrophic failure, with one aviation expert, Captain Steve, hinting at human error, stating the co-pilot “may have pressed the wrong handle.” However, this claim remains inconclusive without official confirmation.
What stopped Kundar from activating the lever? Several possibilities are under scrutiny:
Time Constraints: With only three seconds before impact, there may not have been enough time to complete the action. The rapid descent and loss of control could have made it impossible for the co-pilot to execute the maneuver effectively.
System Malfunction: A technical failure, such as a jammed or unresponsive lever, could have prevented activation. Investigators are exploring whether a mechanical or electrical fault rendered critical systems inoperable. Flight simulations have pointed to a possible double engine failure, potentially caused by a technical snag or fuel contamination, which could have cascaded into broader system failures.
Human Error or Confusion: Under extreme stress, the co-pilot may have hesitated or reached for the wrong control. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), currently under analysis by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), may shed light on the crew’s actions and state of mind in those final moments.
Sabotage: The Indian Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, has stated that “possible sabotage” is being investigated. While no evidence of foul play has been confirmed, the rapid sequence of events and the inability to activate the emergency lever have fueled speculation about external interference, such as fuel contamination or tampering with critical systems.
The Investigation: Technical Failure or Something More?
The AAIB, supported by international experts, is conducting a comprehensive probe under the guidelines of ICAO Annex 13, with a preliminary report expected by mid-July. The investigation is focusing on several key areas:
Dual Engine Failure: Flight simulations conducted independently from the official probe suggest that AI-171 may have suffered a simultaneous failure of both engines, a rare and catastrophic event. This could have been triggered by a technical flaw, such as a fuel system malfunction or contaminated fuel. The deployment of the RAT further supports the theory of a total power loss.
Maintenance and Safety Protocols: The crash has brought Air India’s maintenance practices under scrutiny. Just 38 hours after the AI-171 tragedy, another Air India flight, AI-187, a Boeing 777 bound for Vienna, experienced a stall warning, ground proximity warning, and a “don’t sink” alert, plunging 900 feet shortly after takeoff from Delhi. Although the pilots stabilized the aircraft, the incident prompted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to summon Air India’s head of safety and issue directives to strengthen coordination across engineering, operations, and ground handling units.
Boeing’s Role: The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, delivered to Air India in 2014, had a “clean history” and “no red flags,” according to Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran. However, whistleblower allegations about Boeing’s manufacturing practices have raised concerns among victims’ families, who are preparing to sue both Air India and Boeing in British courts. The crash marks the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011, putting the manufacturer under a sharper spotlight.
Human Factors: The crew’s actions are being closely examined. While Sabharwal and Kundar were experienced pilots, the extreme pressure of a sudden emergency could have led to critical errors. The CVR and FDR will be pivotal in determining whether the co-pilot’s attempt to reach the emergency lever was a calculated response or a desperate act in a chaotic situation.
Broader Implications for Air India and Aviation Safety
The AI-171 crash has shaken public confidence in Air India, with industry insiders noting that while the airline’s fleet has improved under new management, safety concerns have surged following the tragedy. The DGCA has launched enhanced oversight of Air India’s fleet and has directed the airline to remove three senior crew scheduling officials for violating pilot flying hour norms.
The incident has also prompted a nationwide review of aviation safety protocols. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted a full-scale emergency drill at Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport to assess preparedness, with similar exercises ordered at major airports across the country. These measures reflect the urgency of restoring trust in India’s aviation sector.
The Human Toll and Search for Closure
The crash claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, and 34 people on the ground, many of whom were medical students. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in emergency exit row 11A, was the sole survivor, escaping through a nearby emergency door. His account of the “unimaginable” scene, with bodies scattered around him, has underscored the scale of the tragedy.
Families of the victims, such as the Khimanis, who lost 32-year-old Anil Khimani, have held symbolic funerals to seek closure. All remains have been identified using DNA matching or facial recognition, a process completed in just two weeks, despite typically taking months.
What’s Next?
As the AAIB continues its investigation, the focus remains on why the co-pilot’s attempt to activate the emergency lever failed. Was it a matter of seconds, a mechanical fault, or something more sinister? The preliminary report, expected by July 11, will provide a timeline of the flight’s final minutes, cockpit conversations, and system data, offering critical insights into this question.
The crash has also sparked legal action, with families of British victims preparing to sue in UK courts, potentially setting a precedent for aviation liability. Meanwhile, Air India’s creation of the “AI-171 Trust” aims to provide long-term support to affected families, though it will take more than financial aid to rebuild trust in the airline.
The tragedy of Air India Flight AI-171 is a stark reminder of the fragility of aviation safety. Whether the cause is traced to a technical malfunction, human error, or sabotage, the answers will shape the future of Air India, Boeing, and the global aviation industry. For now, the question lingers: what stopped the co-pilot in those final, fateful seconds?
