The preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) concerning the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has prompted Yashpal Singh Vansadia, who lost his parents in the tragedy, to demand answers about the safety protocols and maintenance procedures. He is questioning whether all necessary safety checks were properly executed on the ill-fated aircraft.
Vansadia stated that the report’s reference to a potential technical issue, including a pilot’s inquiry about the switch, raised concerns. “Were all the required preventive checks on the aircraft performed meticulously?” he asked, expressing his hope for comprehensive answers. The crash resulted in the deaths of 260 people, encompassing 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground.
The AAIB’s 15-page preliminary report describes the tragic events that transpired within 90 seconds of takeoff. Both engines ceased functioning during the ascent, leading to a drastic loss of power and a swift descent. Analysis of the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) data indicated that the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were unintentionally moved from RUN to CUTOFF within a one-second span after liftoff. One pilot was heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” followed by the response, “I did not.” Flight AI171 was a scheduled flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, carrying 230 passengers and crew. The final report is expected to be released in the upcoming months. This incident represents one of the most devastating aviation disasters in India’s recent history.