Wed Jul 02 11:19:06 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Following the crash of Air India flight AI-171, investigators are probing potential causes of the disaster, focusing on the possibility of engine failure. Air India pilots attempted to simulate scenarios involving engine failures shortly after takeoff, but their simulations were unsuccessful, with the aircraft able to maintain altitude even with simulated engine problems. Investigators will analyze the flight recorders and examine the fuel switch positions to determine if pilot error played a role. The outcome of the investigation is crucial for Air India, Boeing, and General Electric, as it could reveal systemic issues with the Dreamliner or its engines.
**News Article:**
**Air India Pilots Recreate Fatal Flight Scenarios After Dreamliner Crash; Investigation Focuses on Engine Failure**
Mumbai, India – In the wake of the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 on June 12, which claimed the lives of all 260 people on board, Air India training pilots have been conducting simulations to determine the potential causes of the accident. The focus is on the possibility of engine failure shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.
According to sources, at least three training pilots attempted to recreate scenarios that could have led to a dual-engine flame-out and subsequent inability to climb. These simulations, conducted on a Boeing 787 in Mumbai, involved replicating the exact trim sheet data from AI-171 and intentionally inducing conditions such as electrical failures, single-engine operation with the landing gear down, and improper flap settings.
However, even under these stressed conditions, the simulator aircraft, powered by the Boeing 787-8’s General Electric GEnx-1B67-K turbo-fans, was able to maintain altitude. This has led investigators to meticulously examine the data from the flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders, as well as physical evidence from the wreckage, specifically the position of the fuel switches. The goal is to determine if the engines were accidentally shut off during a critical phase of flight.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to release its preliminary report next week. Pilots familiar with the Air India 787 fleet are closely watching the report for any indications of a dual-engine failure. While considered a statistical anomaly, such a failure, especially at a low altitude, would likely be catastrophic.
The outcome of the investigation has significant implications. Air India operates 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, a mainstay of its fleet. A systemic issue with the Dreamliner could impact not only Air India but also Boeing and the dozens of airlines worldwide that rely on the aircraft. General Electric, the engine manufacturer, is also keenly interested in the findings. The AI-171 crash was the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since it entered service in 2011.
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