Investigators Suspect Power Failure in Air India AI-171 Dreamliner Crash; Black Box Analysis Underway

 In the wake of the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171 on June 12, early findings point to a catastrophic electrical failure shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, gained only 625 feet of altitude before plummeting into a nearby medical hostel building, marking the first major accident involving the Dreamliner aircraft.

While the definitive cause remains pending until analysis of the flight recorders is complete, preliminary assessments suggest a sudden failure of the aircraft’s main electrical system within seconds of liftoff. Visual evidence—including air traffic control (ATC) recordings, eyewitness videos, and wreckage distribution—supports the theory that the aircraft experienced a total loss of power, disabling essential control systems and preventing deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup system designed to restore critical functionality during electrical emergencies.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu confirmed on Thursday that both the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) have been recovered and are in the custody of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). Initial recovery efforts, including forensic documentation of the crash site and debris collection, have been completed. Analytical work is now in progress.

Responding to speculation regarding the black boxes being sent overseas, the Ministry of Civil Aviation clarified that no decision has yet been finalized. “Reports claiming the CVR/FDR from the AI-171 crash are being sent abroad are premature. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will decide the decoding location after evaluating all technical, safety, and security considerations,” the ministry stated.

According to an investigative officer quoted by The Indian Express, initial data does not point to pilot error. Instead, the crew is believed to have attempted to manually stabilize the aircraft using the Dreamliner’s reversionary systems. However, the loss of power at such a low altitude—far below the minimum safe height of 3,600 feet—gave the crew little time or space to execute corrective action. The aircraft reportedly began its climb when the failure occurred but was unable to ascend beyond 625 feet before entering a fatal descent. The sharp angle of impact caused the tail section to shear off, likely due to an elevated nose position at the time of the crash.

Investigators are now scrutinizing the aircraft’s technical logs and maintenance history from the preceding 48 hours. The same aircraft had recently completed a Delhi–Paris round trip and a Delhi–Tokyo–Delhi sector, prompting a review of crew reports, ECAM (Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor) messages, and any anomalies in engine thrust or sensor readings.

While there is no current evidence of sabotage, investigators are actively exploring the possibility of fuel contamination—particularly the presence of water in aviation fuel—as a potential contributing factor. Such contamination is a known risk that can lead to power loss and is often undetectable until airborne, especially if it causes corrosion or blockages within the fuel system. Chemical analysis of debris from the fuel tanks and delivery lines is underway, although extensive fire damage has compromised several key components.

The AI-171 probe has also drawn comparisons with a February 2020 incident at London’s Gatwick Airport, where an Airbus A321 experienced dual engine failure due to contaminated fuel. In that case, the aircraft safely returned to the airport after gaining sufficient altitude to declare Mayday and deploy emergency protocols. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which investigated the 2020 incident, is currently assisting with the AI-171 inquiry.

According to reports, the Gatwick aircraft had exhibited multiple warning signs in prior flights—ranging from delayed engine starts to in-flight stalling indicators. However, those anomalies were not subjected to a thorough follow-up, ultimately leading to the near-miss. Investigators are now examining whether a similar oversight may have occurred with AI-171.

The crash has raised urgent questions about the robustness of last-mile maintenance protocols, pre-flight inspections, and fuel quality assurance. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a technologically advanced wide-body aircraft known for its redundancy systems and fly-by-wire controls, is engineered to withstand a range of technical failures. It is capable of flying on a single engine and can revert to manual operation in the event of hydraulic system loss. Yet, as officials note, the AI-171 flight’s low altitude rendered such safeguards ineffective.

As the investigation continues, aviation authorities are placing emphasis on leaving "no stone unturned" in a case that has shocked both regulators and industry experts. With the Dreamliner platform’s reputation at stake, the outcome of the AI-171 probe may prompt a broader review of safety and maintenance standards across Indian aviation.