LATEST UPDATE – Expert Shocking Reveal: AI 171 Runs Out of Runway with No Thrust—Pilot’s Dangerous Mistake Exposed!

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, India, became the center of a harrowing aviation disaster when it ran out of runway during takeoff, leading to a catastrophic crash just 30 seconds after liftoff. According to a July 7, 2025, report from The Financial Express, the aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, failed to achieve adequate thrust, resulting in a shallow climb and a rapid descent into a residential area near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The incident, which killed 241 aboard and at least 38 on the ground, has sparked intense scrutiny, with experts pointing to a critical pilot error as a contributing factor. While the investigation remains ongoing, the revelation of a “dangerous mistake” by the flight crew has ignited debates about human error, airline procedures, and the safety of modern aircraft.

The flight, commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hours of experience) and First Officer Clive Kunder (1,100 hours), took off at 1:39 PM IST from Runway 23, a 3,445-meter strip. CCTV footage analyzed by The New York Times showed the aircraft using nearly the entire runway, an unusual move for a 787-8, which typically requires about 2,500 meters under similar conditions. Seconds after liftoff, the plane reached a mere 625 feet before descending, with the crew issuing a desperate “Mayday… no thrust, losing power, unable to lift” call, as reported on X (@BDUTT). The aircraft crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel, causing explosions fueled by 100 tonnes of fuel, killing 279 people, including 19 on the ground. The sole survivor, a British passenger in seat 11A, escaped via an emergency exit (NPR).

Experts, including former pilot Dan Bubb, cited by Newsweek, suggest the pilots may have failed to confirm proper flap settings or thrust levels during pre-takeoff checks. Flaps, critical for lift at low speeds, appeared extended in wreckage photos, but aviation analyst Alastair Rosenschein told Sky News that the settings looked incorrect, potentially reducing lift. The failure to retract landing gear, noted in crash footage, further hindered performance, as gear drag reduces climb efficiency. The Financial Express reported no prior warnings or requests for thrust adjustments, suggesting the crew proceeded under normal protocols until the critical moment. The chilling final transmission—“Thrust not achieved… Mayday!”—indicates the pilots recognized the thrust failure too late to abort safely (The Financial Express).

The Boeing 787-8, operational since 2011, had a clean safety record until this incident, with its right engine replaced in March 2025 and the left serviced in 2023 (Times of India). Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran emphasized the aircraft’s “clean history,” ruling out prior maintenance issues. However, theories of mechanical failure, such as contaminated fuel or a double engine failure, remain under investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with support from the NTSB and UK experts (The Guardian). A bird strike, initially considered, was dismissed due to clear CCTV footage showing no such impact (Reuters). The involvement of anti-terror squads hints at sabotage as a remote possibility, though no evidence supports this.

The crash has renewed scrutiny on Air India’s safety protocols and Boeing’s 787 fleet, prompting India’s aviation ministry to order inspections of all 787-8/9 aircraft with GE Aerospace GEnx engines (The Guardian). While the 787’s redundancy systems allow flight on one engine, the rapid descent suggests a catastrophic loss of power or control. BBC experts noted that takeoff is a critical phase, requiring precise coordination, and any misstep—such as misjudging thrust settings—can be fatal. The pilots’ 15-second window to react, as highlighted by aerospace engineer Aditya Paranjape on X (@BDUTT), left little room for recovery.

This tragedy, India’s deadliest aviation disaster since 2010, underscores the fragility of even advanced aircraft. The recovery of both black boxes offers hope for answers, but the AAIB’s preliminary report, due within 30 days, may not fully resolve the “mystery” of the pilots’ actions (Sky News). As families mourn, with DNA tests identifying victims like former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the focus shifts to preventing future failures. The aviation community and Ahmedabad residents await clarity, hoping this loss galvanizes stricter safety measures. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families as the world grapples with this sobering reminder of aviation’s risks.