Tragic Failure Behind Air India Flight AI-171 Crash Revealed
A preliminary investigation into the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171 points to a tragic mechanical malfunction: a faulty locking mechanism caused the pilot’s seat to slide backward during takeoff. In the chaos, the captain unintentionally pulled the throttle into idle—cutting engine thrust mere seconds after liftoff.
The sudden loss of power proved catastrophic. The co-pilot struggled to regain control, but the captain’s unexpected position hindered response efforts. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost lift and crashed into a nearby building.
The result was heartbreaking: 270 lives lost, including passengers, crew, and people on the ground. More than 40 others were injured. A single British passenger miraculously survived.
Investigators have cited critical safety lapses, including the absence of emergency override protocols and design flaws in the 787’s throttle system. In immediate response, both the FAA and EASA have mandated urgent inspections of pilot seats across fleets. Air India has grounded 12 aircraft, and Boeing has committed to redesigning the seat system by 2026.
The final accident report is expected in July 2025. In the meantime, global aviation authorities have promised sweeping safety reforms—calling the crash a “preventable tragedy” that must never happen again.
