New Delhi— A recent simulation of the tragic Air India Flight AI-171 crash has shifted investigators’ attention toward a potential technical malfunction as a primary cause of the disaster, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. The Boeing 787, which crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board, marking one of India’s deadliest aviation incidents.
The simulation, conducted separately from the official investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), recreated the flight’s conditions, including the landing gear being down and wing flaps retracted. The results suggested that these settings alone were insufficient to cause the crash, prompting a deeper focus on a possible technical failure, Bloomberg reported. Evidence that an emergency power unit activated moments before the impact further supports this line of inquiry.
Investigators are now examining the possibility of a dual engine failure, a rare occurrence described by Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol as unprecedented. While sabotage and fuel contamination are still under consideration, the technical flaw hypothesis has gained traction. The AAIB, supported by international experts, is analyzing data from the flight’s black boxes recovered on June 13 and 16 to uncover the precise cause.
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A preliminary report, expected by July 11, will provide initial insights into the crash, which also killed dozens on the ground when the plane struck residential quarters at BJ Medical College. The report, anticipated to span four to five pages, will outline key findings, including a timeline of the flight’s final moments.
The crash has raised broader concerns about Boeing 787 operations, with Air India scaling back its flight schedule to ensure network stability. Legal teams in the US and UK are preparing lawsuits against Boeing.