Inside the Air India AI-171 Crash Investigation: A Detailed Timeline from Black Box Recovery to AAIB’s Initial Findings

A month after the devastating crash of Air India flight AI-171 near Ahmedabad, the preliminary findings of the investigation have shed some light on what happened during those harrowing 30 seconds after takeoff. Conducted by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the ongoing probe is being closely monitored both nationally and internationally, not only for its findings but also for how it’s being conducted.

The crash, which claimed 260 lives, is the most fatal incident involving an Indian airline in over four decades, and marked the first deadly accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Since the tragedy, the AAIB, assisted by global experts including the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and General Electric (GE), has pieced together a timeline of critical events — from on-site investigations and black box recoveries to the release of its 15-page preliminary report.

Here’s a comprehensive look at the key developments so far in the investigation into the AI-171 crash:

June 12 – Catastrophic Crash of AI-171

Flight AI-171, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad en route to London Gatwick. Tragically, the aircraft crashed just seconds after takeoff, killing 260 people — 241 of the 242 people onboard and 19 individuals on the ground. The flight reportedly lasted just around 30 seconds from lift-off to impact. This incident is now the deadliest Indian aviation disaster in decades.

June 13 – AAIB Begins Probe, First Black Box Found

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) officially launched an investigation into the crash. Investigators recovered the rear Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR), commonly known as the black box, from the rooftop of a hostel mess building at BJ Medical College. The device had suffered heavy internal thermal damage, but its retrieval marked a crucial step in the investigation.

June 14 – Civil Aviation Ministry Holds Briefing

Two days after the crash, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) gave its first formal update through a briefing. However, the briefing was limited in scope and did not include a Q&A session. Following this, only a few official press releases were issued until the release of the preliminary report.

June 15 – NTSB and International Experts Join Probe

A US-based investigation team arrived in Ahmedabad, led by a representative from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with officials from Boeing, GE, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They were joined by AAIB personnel and aviation authorities from the UK, as the investigation expanded to include international expertise.

June 16 – Second Black Box Located

The second black box — the forward EAFR — was recovered from the crash site. Like the first, it was badly damaged and coated in soot. Boeing 787 aircraft are equipped with two EAFRs, one in the front and one in the rear, both containing identical sets of cockpit voice and flight data recordings.

June 24 – Black Boxes Arrive at AAIB Headquarters

Both black boxes were transported to the AAIB headquarters in New Delhi. Data extraction was made possible after acquiring specific equipment — a ‘Golden Chassis’ and appropriate download cables — through coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and assistance from international accident investigation agencies. By June 23, these tools arrived from the US, enabling the team to retrieve about 49 hours of flight data spanning six separate flights, including the crash flight.

July 12 – Preliminary Report Issued by AAIB

The AAIB released its initial 15-page report shortly after midnight. It provided the first detailed reconstruction of events during the doomed flight. The report noted that the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ within seconds of each other during lift-off — an unusual and critical sequence. Importantly, the report does not confirm if this was a manual or automated action and carefully uses the word “transitioned” to avoid attributing blame.

According to the cockpit voice recorder, one pilot questioned the other about cutting off fuel supply mid-flight, to which the latter responded with surprise, saying he hadn’t. Co-pilot Clive Kunder was flying the aircraft, while Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was handling monitoring duties. The preliminary report refrained from assigning blame or issuing safety recommendations to Boeing or GE, suggesting no immediate evidence of mechanical or engine failure.

July 17 – AAIB Head Urges Caution Amid Speculation

GVG Yugandhar, Director General of AAIB, made a public appeal asking the media and general public to avoid speculating on the crash’s cause, stressing that the investigation is still underway. He criticized certain international media outlets for drawing early conclusions using partial and unverified information, calling such actions “irresponsible.” He reiterated that the final report would present root causes and formal recommendations — but only once the investigation is complete.

July 19 – NTSB Chief Responds to Speculation

Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the US National Transportation Safety Board, also warned against premature conclusions. Her statement followed reports from US media that hinted at a possible deliberate act by one of the pilots. She labeled these claims speculative and stressed the need for patience and factual accuracy in reporting, aligning with AAIB’s stance on maintaining the integrity of the ongoing probe.

The investigation into the AI-171 disaster remains far from over. With international attention focused on the findings, the AAIB’s work will likely shape future safety protocols not only in India but globally. The final report, expected within the next 12 months, promises to delve into the root causes behind the crash and provide comprehensive recommendations for aviation safety.