Air India Flight AI171 Crash: Unraveling Safety Measures and Investigation Efforts

By Boncopia News Team | June 13, 2025 | Global News

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, en route to London Gatwick, killing 246 people, including 241 passengers and crew and at least five on the ground. The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, escaped through an emergency exit, offering a rare beacon of hope amid tragedy. As the world mourns, attention has turned to the investigation and safety measures being implemented to uncover the cause and prevent future disasters. This post explores the ongoing probe, immediate safety responses, and broader implications for aviation safety, while critically examining the challenges and questions surrounding Air India and Boeing’s safety protocols.

The Crash: A Devastating 30-Second Flight

Flight AI171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. IST, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Just 30 seconds later, the aircraft issued a mayday call, struggled to gain altitude, and crashed into a medical college hostel in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar, 1.5 kilometers from the runway. The impact caused a massive fireball, complicating rescue efforts. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. The crash, the deadliest since Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, marked the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A near an emergency exit, survived with multiple injuries. “I heard a loud boom… I crawled out of a broken emergency exit,” he told media from his hospital bed. His survival underscores the importance of emergency exit access, but the scale of the loss has intensified scrutiny on aviation safety.

Immediate Safety Measures Post-Crash

In response to the tragedy, Indian authorities and Air India swiftly implemented safety and emergency measures:

1. Suspension of Airport Operations: Ahmedabad’s airport halted all flights to prioritize rescue and investigation efforts, ensuring the crash site remained secure for evidence collection.

2. Emergency Response Deployment: Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising 90 personnel, were dispatched from Gandhinagar to assist with rescue and recovery. Firefighters and local police worked to extinguish fires and recover bodies, with Ahmedabad police establishing a helpline (079-25620359) for families.

3. Support for Families: Air India set up assistance centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and London Gatwick airports, providing a dedicated hotline (1800 5691 444) for information and support. London Gatwick established a reception center for relatives, and the UK Foreign Office offered consular assistance via 020 7008 5000.

4. Body Identification Efforts: Dr. Minakshi Parikh, dean of BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, emphasized DNA matching to identify victims, ensuring accuracy despite pressure from grieving families. By Friday, six bodies were released to families after identification.

These measures addressed immediate needs but also highlighted the challenges of managing a disaster in a densely populated area, where ground casualties added complexity to recovery efforts.

The Investigation: Probing the Cause

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, is leading the probe. The investigation focuses on several key areas:

• Black Box Recovery: The digital flight data recorder (FDR) was recovered from the rooftop of the hostel mess building, but the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) remains missing. The FDR, which records thousands of parameters, is expected to provide critical insights into the aircraft’s performance. Aviation expert Graham Braithwaite noted, “Assuming the FDR is undamaged, it will tell us a lot.”

• Aircraft Configuration: Investigators are examining the Boeing 787’s engine thrust, wing flaps, and landing gear. CCTV footage showed the plane with its landing gear down and flaps retracted at 625 feet, an unusual configuration for takeoff. Expert Ron Bartsch noted that this, combined with high temperatures (40°C), likely reduced lift, especially given the plane’s maximum takeoff weight for a 7,000-km flight.

• Possible Causes: Preliminary theories include:

  • Mechanical Failure: Issues with the GE Aerospace GEnx engines, landing gear, or flaps are under scrutiny.

  • Bird Strike: A bird strike could have damaged the engines or airframe.

  • Human Error: The pilots, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 flight hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours), were experienced, but human factors are being considered.

  • Maintenance Issues: Air India’s maintenance regime is under review, especially after past regulatory concerns about safety audits.

• Environmental Factors: Ahmedabad’s high temperatures created thinner air, potentially requiring adjusted flap settings and engine thrust.

The investigation adheres to ICAO Annex 13 standards, ensuring independence despite involvement from Boeing and GE Aerospace. The NTSB and FAA are providing technical support, with a U.S. team deployed to assist.

Safety Measures Under Scrutiny

The crash has prompted immediate and long-term safety actions:

1. Fleet Inspections: India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation ordered Air India to conduct “additional maintenance actions” on its Boeing 787-8/9 fleet, focusing on GE Aerospace GEnx engines. This follows concerns about maintenance lapses, with past audits revealing non-compliance in Air India’s safety checks.

2. Enhanced Airport Security: While not directly linked to the crash, strict baggage checks, body scans, and ID verification remain standard at Indian airports to prevent external threats. Robust anti-hacking systems protect flight operations.

3. Global Collaboration: The involvement of U.S. and UK experts underscores the importance of international cooperation in aviation safety, ensuring a thorough and unbiased investigation.

However, critical questions remain. Posts on X have raised concerns about Air India’s safety culture, citing a 2023 audit by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that found lapses in internal safety checks. These reports, though unverified in relation to AI171, suggest systemic issues that could undermine trust.

Critical Analysis: Are Safety Measures Enough?

The crash exposes vulnerabilities in aviation safety, particularly for Boeing and Air India. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operational since 2011, had an unblemished safety record until this incident. However, Boeing faces ongoing scrutiny following a 2024 whistleblower claim about improper assembly of 787s, raising questions about quality control. Air India, under Tata Group’s revitalization, has a history of deadly crashes, including a 2020 incident that killed 17 and a 2010 crash that claimed 158 lives.

The high temperatures in Ahmedabad highlight environmental challenges for aircraft performance, yet modern jets are designed to handle such conditions. The unusual configuration of the plane (gear down, flaps retracted) suggests a possible oversight in pre-flight checks or a sudden mechanical failure. Past DGCA findings of falsified safety audits at Air India amplify concerns about maintenance reliability.

Speculation about sabotage, fueled by political tensions in Gujarat, lacks evidence and risks diverting focus from technical and procedural factors. The investigation must prioritize transparency to restore public confidence, especially as Boeing’s shares dropped 5–7% post-crash, reflecting market unease.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Aviation Safety

The Air India Flight AI171 crash is a sobering reminder of aviation’s complexities. Immediate measures like fleet inspections and enhanced emergency responses are critical, but long-term solutions require addressing systemic issues. Air India must strengthen its maintenance protocols, while Boeing faces pressure to prove the 787’s reliability. Global cooperation, as seen in the joint investigation, sets a model for tackling aviation challenges.

For now, the focus remains on supporting victims’ families and uncovering the truth. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh’s survival, aided by his proximity to an emergency exit, highlights the value of safety design but also the unpredictability of such disasters. As the investigation progresses, the aviation industry must learn from this tragedy to ensure safer skies.

Thought Questions for Readers

1. What steps can airlines take to ensure rigorous maintenance and safety audits, especially under operational pressures?

2. How should regulators balance environmental challenges, like extreme heat, with aircraft performance standards?

3. What role does public trust play in aviation safety, and how can airlines rebuild confidence after such tragedies?

Sources: Information compiled from reputable news outlets, official statements, and aviation expert analyses. For updates, visit trusted platforms or Air India’s official channels.