Ahmedabad, July 12, 2025:
The preliminary investigation report into the tragic crash of Air India Flight
AI-228, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, that claimed the lives of over 260 people on
June 12, has revealed shocking insights. According to the Directorate General
of Civil Aviation (DGCA), both engines of the aircraft shut down shortly after
takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
This rare and catastrophic failure has now become the focal point of national and international aviation discourse.
Key Findings from the Report
The DGCA, in collaboration with Boeing technical experts and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released the early findings of their investigation on July 11. The most critical revelation was that both engines lost power simultaneously less than three minutes after takeoff.
According to the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), the engines—both General Electric GEnx-1B models—lost thrust abruptly. Despite repeated attempts by the pilots to restart the engines, the aircraft continued to lose altitude and ultimately crashed into a field just 12 kilometers from the airport.
Final Moments in the Cockpit
Transcripts from the Cockpit Voice Recorder paint a chilling picture of the crew’s final moments. The captain, a veteran pilot with over 12,000 flight hours, can be heard saying, “We’ve lost both engines... we're gliding… attempting restart.” Seconds later, the co-pilot radios the tower:
“Declaring emergency... we have dual engine failure... requesting immediate return.”
The last audible words from the cockpit were reportedly:
“We’re too low… brace for impact.”
The CVR stopped recording at 3:11 minutes into the flight, shortly before the aircraft hit the ground.
What Happened on June 12
Flight AI-228 was scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad to Delhi with 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner delivered to Air India in 2018, was considered modern and well-maintained.
The flight departed at 9:42 PM IST under normal weather conditions. Shortly after takeoff, it was climbing through 5,000 feet when the pilots reported engine anomalies. Within moments, both engines failed—causing the aircraft to lose power and altitude rapidly.
Eyewitnesses near the crash site in the outskirts of Gandhinagar reported hearing a "strange whining noise" followed by silence, and then a fiery explosion. The crash resulted in the deaths of 260 people, with only four survivors, all of whom remain in critical condition.
Engine Malfunction Under Scrutiny
Aviation experts are calling this crash one of the most serious incidents in recent Indian aviation history. While dual engine failure is extremely rare, it has happened before—most notably in the “Miracle on the Hudson” in 2009, where a US Airways Airbus A320 lost both engines after a bird strike but managed a successful water landing.
In this case, however, preliminary findings do not suggest a bird strike or foreign object damage (FOD). Instead, attention is now focused on the aircraft's fuel system and software that controls engine synchronization.
The report mentions a potential fuel contamination or electrical fault that could have simultaneously impacted both engines. Boeing has dispatched a special team from Seattle to aid Indian investigators.
Reaction from the Government and Aviation Bodies
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed deep sorrow and assured the public of a transparent investigation.
“This is a national tragedy. We owe it to the victims and their families to find out exactly what happened. Accountability will follow the facts,” he said.
Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has grounded six other Dreamliners with similar engine configurations pending further inspections.
The DGCA has also issued an advisory to all Indian carriers operating Boeing 787s to conduct immediate engine health checks and fuel quality tests.
Global Attention and Policy Implications
The crash has drawn the attention of the global aviation community. Boeing, General Electric (the engine manufacturer), and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are jointly working with Indian authorities.
Aviation safety analysts say that if a systemic flaw in the engine control system is found, it could prompt a worldwide temporary grounding of the Dreamliner fleet, similar to the Boeing 737 MAX grounding in 2019.
Families Await Final Report
For the grieving families, the preliminary report offers a glimpse into what happened, but not yet a sense of closure. Many have demanded answers from Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation about maintenance protocols and crew readiness.
A public memorial is scheduled in Delhi next week, and compensation for the victims’ families is being processed through insurance firms and government relief funds.
Conclusion
The tragic crash of Flight AI-228 is a stark reminder of the inherent risks in aviation and the importance of stringent safety checks, crew training, and real-time monitoring. As the final report is awaited—expected within the next 90 days—the focus remains on ensuring such a disaster is never repeated.
0 Comments
What do you think about this post ? Share below