Did Pilot Error or Engine Failure Cause the Ahmedabad Air Crash? What Went Wrong During Takeoff?

Air India Crash Report: Key Findings
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a 15-page preliminary report on the June 12 crash, uncovering critical details:
Both engines failed within 1 second – The fuel cutoff switches for Engine 1 and Engine 2 moved from RUN to CUTOFF almost simultaneously, causing an immediate loss of thrust.

Pilot confusion recorded – The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning the other: “Why did you cutoff?”, suggesting miscommunication or system malfunction.
Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed mid-flight – CCTV footage confirmed the RAT activated right after takeoff, indicating an emergency power failure.
No evidence of bird strike – Investigators ruled out bird collisions, leaving engine failure or human error as likely causes.


Critical components quarantined – The wreckage, including both engines, has been secured for further forensic analysis.
The aircraft reached 180 knots before the sudden engine shutdown, leading to an uncontrollable descent. Despite a brief thrust recovery, the plane crashed near Ahmedabad airport, killing all 241 onboard and 19 on the ground.


Sample Q&A (For Competitive & GK Exams)
Q1: What caused the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad?
A1: Both engines shut down within a second due to fuel cutoff switch failure, leading to loss of thrust.
Q2: Was a bird strike responsible for the crash?
A2: No, the AAIB report found no evidence of bird activity near the flight path.
Q3: What role did the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) play?
A3: The RAT deployed immediately after takeoff, indicating an emergency power loss.
Q4: How many people died in the accident?
A4: 260 fatalities (241 passengers/crew + 19 on the ground).
Q5: What did the cockpit voice recorder reveal?
A5: Pilots were confused about who triggered the engine cutoff, hinting at possible miscommunication.


Why Is This Important for Entrance Exams?
General Knowledge (GK): Aviation accidents are frequently asked in competitive exams like UPSC, NID, and NIFT.
Critical Thinking: Case studies on system failures improve analytical skills for design and engineering entrances.
Current Affairs: Recent accidents are often part of GD/PI discussions in top institutes.