The preliminary report on the tragic Air India Flight AI171 crash has sparked fresh debate after former Navy Chief Admiral Arun Prakash termed it “most intriguing” and called for a deeper investigation into the incident.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) recently released its findings into the June 12 crash, which involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that took off from Ahmedabad for London Gatwick but lost both engines just three seconds into the climb. The aircraft crashed shortly after, resulting in over 270 deaths.
According to the report, the cockpit data shows that the engine fuel shutoff valves were manually turned off just moments after takeoff, leading to a complete and sudden loss of power.
“This Needs More Than a Surface-Level Inquiry”
Admiral Arun Prakash voiced his concerns on social media platform X, urging authorities to go beyond the preliminary findings. His comment adds weight to the growing demand for greater clarity on the circumstances that led to the fuel cutoff.
“The report is most intriguing,” Prakash stated, suggesting that the unusual cockpit actions deserve a much more thorough and transparent investigation.
Also Read: Engines Shut Down Mid-Air: AI171 Crash Report Points to Fuel Switch Flaw
A Catastrophic Failure in Seconds
The crash report has shocked aviation experts, as both engines failing within seconds of takeoff is highly unusual, especially for a modern aircraft like the Boeing 787. The shutoff of both engine fuel valves raises questions about pilot actions, system malfunctions, or procedural errors—none of which are clearly explained in the current report.
The AAIB report has not yet triggered any safety directives or fleet groundings for Boeing 787 aircraft.
