UNSETTLING MOMENT: Air India 171 Captain’s Final Log Entry Erased Mid-Sentence — Investigators Stunned by Missing Audio Gap
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India, claiming the lives of 260 passengers and crew members, with only one survivor. The tragedy, one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades, has left investigators grappling with more questions than answers. A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released on July 12, 2025, revealed a chilling detail: the captain’s final log entry was abruptly erased mid-sentence, and a critical gap in the cockpit audio recording has stunned investigators, deepening the mystery surrounding the crash. This article explores the unsettling findings, the ongoing investigation, and the broader implications for aviation safety.
The Crash of Air India Flight 171
Air India Flight 171 took off at approximately 08:08 UTC on June 12, 2025, under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with over 15,000 hours of flight experience, and First Officer Clive Kunder, a 32-year-old aviator with 3,400 hours. The flight was airborne for less than a minute before it plummeted into a crowded residential area near the airport, causing widespread devastation. The preliminary report indicates that just three seconds after takeoff, both engines’ fuel control switches moved from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position within a one-second interval, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust. Despite attempts to relight the engines, one engine was only beginning to regain power at the time of impact, while the other had not yet recovered.
The AAIB report noted that the aircraft reached a maximum airspeed of 180 knots before the fuel cutoff occurred, and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured a brief, alarming exchange between the pilots. Captain Sabharwal’s voice, described as sharp with alarm, asked, “Why have the engines shut down?” to which First Officer Kunder responded, “I did not do it.” This exchange, coupled with the discovery that the captain’s final log entry was incomplete—cut off mid-sentence—has raised troubling questions about what transpired in the cockpit during those final 32 seconds.
The Missing Audio Gap and Erased Log Entry
One of the most perplexing findings in the investigation is the incomplete captain’s log entry and the missing segment of the CVR audio. The CVR, a critical tool for reconstructing the events leading to a crash, is designed to record all cockpit communications, ambient sounds, and radio transmissions. However, investigators found that the audio abruptly stops, leaving a gap that obscures vital information about the pilots’ actions and discussions in the moments before the crash. The captain’s log, typically a written or electronic record of flight details, was similarly incomplete, with the final entry ending mid-sentence, as though interrupted by a sudden event.
This anomaly has stunned investigators, as CVR data is rarely compromised in modern aircraft. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, equipped with advanced avionics, is designed to withstand extreme conditions, and its black box systems are rigorously tested for reliability. The missing audio gap has fueled speculation about whether the erasure was accidental, deliberate, or the result of a technical malfunction. Some aviation experts have suggested that a power surge, electromagnetic interference, or physical damage to the CVR could explain the gap, but no conclusive evidence supports these theories yet. The incomplete log entry adds another layer of mystery, as it suggests the captain was in the process of documenting something critical when the incident occurred.
Theories and Speculation
The AAIB’s preliminary report has sparked intense debate within the aviation community. The fact that both fuel cutoff switches were moved to the “CUTOFF” position almost simultaneously has led to speculation about whether this was a deliberate act, human error, or a mechanical fault. The report explicitly ruled out mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft or its engines, as well as fuel quality problems and pilot medical conditions, leaving pilot error or intentional action as leading possibilities.
Aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan, cited in multiple reports, has speculated that the fuel cutoff may have been deliberate, noting that the manual nature of the fuel switch mechanism makes accidental activation unlikely. He told The UK Telegraph, “I have heard from several Air India pilots who told me [Captain Sabharwal] had some depression and mental health issues.” This claim has drawn scrutiny to Captain Sabharwal’s medical records, which have been handed over to investigators. Reports indicate that Sabharwal, 56, was nearing retirement and had taken bereavement leave following his mother’s death in 2022, raising questions about his mental health. However, the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) India have strongly criticized such speculation, calling it “reckless” and “unfair” to attribute blame to deceased pilots without conclusive evidence.
The pilots’ associations have also questioned the AAIB’s transparency, noting that only 28 words of the CVR dialogue were selectively released, rather than the full transcript. Captain Sam Thomas, president of ALPA India, described the report as “unsigned and selectively leaked,” arguing that it lacks clarity and consistency. Posts on X have echoed this sentiment, with users like @SatishKapur4 suggesting that the partial release of information gives “the impression of a cover-up.”
The Role of Cockpit Video Recorders
The Air India 171 crash has reignited a decades-old debate about the installation of cockpit video recorders (CVRs). Advocates argue that video footage could have provided critical context missing from the audio and data recorders, potentially clarifying the pilots’ actions and the state of the cockpit instruments. A recent Australian Transport Safety Bureau report on a 2023 helicopter crash highlighted the “invaluable” role of video footage in crash investigations. However, opponents, including pilot unions, cite privacy concerns and the risk of misuse, arguing that the benefits of video recorders are marginal compared to existing systems.
In the case of Flight 171, experts have noted that video evidence could have answered questions about who moved the fuel cutoff switches and whether the action was intentional or accidental. The absence of such footage has left investigators reliant on incomplete audio and data, prolonging the uncertainty surrounding the crash.
Broader Implications for Aviation Safety
The Air India 171 tragedy has prompted immediate action from regulators and airlines. India’s aviation authority has set a July 21, 2025, deadline for airlines to inspect fuel cutoff switches on Boeing 787 aircraft, and international carriers, including those in South Korea, have followed suit. Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, has urged against “premature conclusions,” emphasizing that the airline’s 23 Boeing 787s were inspected and found fit for service. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also referenced a 2018 advisory on fuel switch mechanisms, highlighting the need for enhanced safety protocols.
The crash has underscored the importance of robust mental health screening for pilots. While the AAIB report found no medical issues with the pilots, the speculation surrounding Captain Sabharwal’s mental health has raised questions about how airlines monitor and support their crew. The aviation industry may face increased pressure to implement standardized mental health assessments, balancing pilot privacy with public safety.
Conclusion
The crash of Air India Flight 171 remains one of the most perplexing aviation disasters in recent history. The erased captain’s log entry and the missing audio gap in the cockpit voice recorder have deepened the mystery, leaving investigators and the public searching for answers. While the preliminary report has ruled out mechanical and maintenance issues, the focus on pilot error or deliberate action has sparked controversy and debate. As the investigation continues, with fuel sample testing, post-mortem reports, and forensic analysis still underway, the families of the 260 victims and the sole survivor await clarity.
The tragedy has highlighted gaps in current aviation safety protocols, from the limitations of cockpit voice recorders to the challenges of addressing pilot mental health. Until the final report is released, speculation will persist, but the aviation community must heed the call for professionalism and restraint urged by IFALPA and Air India’s leadership. The lessons learned from Flight 171 will undoubtedly shape the future of aviation safety, ensuring that such a tragedy is not repeated.
