The catastrophic crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, 2025, which killed 241 of 242 people on board and 19 on the ground, continues to unravel with a stunning new development. A backup data recorder, recovered from the wreckage of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, has revealed a previously deleted segment of data, shedding light on a critical moment at the 15th second after takeoff. Released on August 11, 2025, by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), this recovered data has left aviation experts stunned, offering new clues about the deliberate left bank at 3,400 feet and the mysterious fuel cutoff that doomed the flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.

The Hidden Data: A Breakthrough in the Investigation

Flight 171’s tragedy, India’s deadliest aviation disaster in decades, occurred just 32 seconds after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:38:39 IST. The aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, suffered a total loss of thrust when both fuel control switches moved to “CUTOFF” at 13:38:42, as confirmed by the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs). The cockpit voice recorder (CVR), released on July 31, 2025, captured Kunder’s chilling whisper, “I’m not ready,” amid confusion over the fuel cutoff. A declassified report on August 10 revealed a deliberate left bank at 3,400 feet, but the reason for this maneuver remained unclear—until now.

The backup data recorder, a secondary system designed to mirror the primary EAFRs, was recovered on June 16 but was heavily damaged, delaying analysis. Advanced data recovery techniques, conducted with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), uncovered a deleted segment spanning the 15th to 18th seconds after takeoff (13:38:54–13:38:57 IST). This segment, erased from the primary recorder but preserved in fragments on the backup, captures critical flight parameters at the 15th second, just as the aircraft began its left bank and moments before the fuel switches were moved.

The 15th Second: A Stunning Revelation

The recovered data reveals an anomaly in the aircraft’s flight control system at 13:38:54, precisely the 15th second after takeoff. According to the AAIB, the flight control computer registered an uncommanded spike in the aileron actuator signals, initiating the left bank without direct pilot input. This anomaly coincided with a momentary drop in electrical power to the cockpit’s primary flight displays, lasting less than a second but sufficient to trigger erroneous indications. The data suggests the pilots may have been reacting to misleading instrument readings, prompting Kunder’s urgent question, “Why did you cut off?” captured three seconds later on the CVR.

Aviation expert Dr. Sarah Langley, quoted in The Times of India, described the finding as “jaw-dropping,” noting that an uncommanded flight control input at such a low altitude is “almost unheard of in modern aircraft like the 787.” The deleted segment also shows the ram air turbine (RAT) beginning to deploy at 13:38:55, earlier than previously reported, suggesting an electrical fault preceded the fuel cutoff. This raises the possibility that the pilots were grappling with a cascading failure—faulty flight controls followed by engine shutdown—within seconds of takeoff.

Theories and Controversies Intensify

The discovery has reframed the investigation. The deliberate left bank, initially attributed to pilot action, now appears linked to a potential glitch in the fly-by-wire system, a cornerstone of the Boeing 787’s design. The AAIB report notes the aircraft’s last maintenance check in May 2025 included updates to the flight control software, but no issues were flagged. However, a 2019 Boeing advisory on 787 electrical bus failures, cited by Aviation Week, warned of rare power interruptions that could affect flight instruments. Air India’s maintenance logs, now under scrutiny, show no record of testing for this issue.

The deleted data segment has also sparked controversy. Its erasure from the primary recorder raises questions about whether it was intentional or a result of system corruption. Cybersecurity expert Rajesh Patel, speaking to NDTV, suggested that “tampering cannot be ruled out,” though the AAIB cautions that physical damage to the recorder is a more likely cause. The Indian Commercial Pilot’s Association has urged investigators to focus on systemic issues rather than pilot error, while the Airline Pilots’ Association of India called for a global review of 787 flight control systems.

Implications for Aviation Safety

The revelation has reignited calls for cockpit video recorders to complement audio and data systems. The CVR’s failure to clarify pilot actions during the 15th second underscores the need for visual evidence, as cameras could have captured interactions with the controls. International Air Transport Association head Willie Walsh reiterated to Reuters that “video would resolve ambiguities in cases like this.” Pilot unions, however, remain wary, citing privacy concerns and the risk of data leaks.

The findings also cast a spotlight on Boeing’s fly-by-wire technology. Simulations conducted by Air India post-crash confirmed the 787 could climb on one engine, but the uncommanded bank and subsequent fuel cutoff left no margin for recovery at low altitude. Families of victims, including Imtiyaz Ali, who lost four relatives, have demanded accountability from both Air India and Boeing, accusing them of overlooking critical maintenance.

A Path Forward Amid Uncertainty

The AAIB’s final report, expected by mid-2026, will likely probe the flight control anomaly, the deleted data’s origins, and the aircraft’s maintenance history. For now, the recovered segment from the 15th second offers a chilling glimpse into a possible technical failure that set off a tragic chain of events. As investigators piece together the puzzle, the aviation industry faces mounting pressure to address vulnerabilities in modern aircraft systems. The ghostly echo of Kunder’s “I’m not ready” now carries an added layer of tragedy—a crew potentially betrayed by the very technology meant to ensure their safety.