A Catastrophe in 32 Seconds

On June 12, 2025, the skies above Ahmedabad, India, bore witness to an unimaginable tragedy. Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 IST, carrying 228 passengers and 14 crew members. Just 32 seconds later, the aircraft plummeted into a medical college hostel, claiming 241 lives on board and 19 on the ground. Only one passenger, seated in 11A, miraculously survived. Now, a bombshell revelation from the ongoing investigation has stunned aviation experts and grieving families alike: the plane executed a deliberate left bank in its final moments, a maneuver that raises chilling questions about what—or who—caused the disaster. Was this sudden turn a desperate act to avoid catastrophe, or does it hint at a deeper, more troubling issue? As the probe takes an unexpected turn, the Daily Mail delves into the mystery surrounding Flight 171’s final seconds.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report, released on July 12, 2025, revealed that both engine fuel control switches transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within a second of each other, starving the engines of fuel and causing a catastrophic loss of thrust. But the latest findings, sourced from flight data and cockpit voice recordings, indicate that the aircraft made an abrupt left bank just before impact—a move not consistent with a simple engine failure. “This wasn’t a random drift,” a source close to the investigation told the Daily Mail. “It was deliberate, controlled. Something or someone made that plane turn.” The question now consuming investigators, families, and the aviation world is: why?

The Final Moments: A Deliberate Left Bank

Flight 171’s takeoff appeared normal at first. The Boeing 787 accelerated to 180 knots (333 km/h) by 08:08:42 UTC (13:38:42 IST), lifting off Runway 23 without issue. But within seconds, both engines lost power, and the plane began a rapid descent. CCTV footage and flight data confirm the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of approximately 625 feet before the engines failed. What has shocked investigators is the revelation from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) that, as the plane descended, it executed a sharp left bank—an intentional maneuver requiring pilot input or automated system intervention. “The left bank was clear in the data,” the source said. “It wasn’t a stall or uncontrolled roll. Someone turned that plane.”

Cockpit voice recordings (CVR) add to the enigma. Moments after the fuel cutoff, one pilot—either Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (the pilot monitoring) or First Officer Clive Kunder (the pilot flying)—asked, “Why did you do it?” The other responded, “I did not do it.” This cryptic exchange, combined with the left bank, has fueled speculation. Was the maneuver a desperate attempt to steer away from populated areas? Or does it suggest a more troubling scenario, such as pilot disorientation, error, or even deliberate action? The AAIB’s preliminary report, criticized for its ambiguity, offers no clear answers, leaving experts to piece together a puzzle with missing parts.

Theories Behind the Left Bank

The deliberate left bank has sparked intense debate among aviation experts. Several theories are emerging, each more unsettling than the last:

Pilot Response to Emergency: The most optimistic theory is that the pilots, facing dual engine failure, attempted to maneuver the aircraft to avoid crashing into densely populated areas. Ahmedabad’s airport is surrounded by residential and institutional buildings, including the BJ Medical College hostel where the plane ultimately struck. “A left bank could have been an attempt to aim for open ground,” said Captain Dilip Desmond, a veteran pilot quoted by India Today. “But at 625 feet, with no thrust, they had seconds to act.” The CVR’s “I did not do it” suggests confusion, possibly indicating one pilot acted unilaterally or misinterpreted the other’s actions.

Automated System Malfunction: The Boeing 787’s Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, which manages engine performance, is under scrutiny. A glitch in FADEC or related flight control systems could have triggered an erroneous command, causing the aircraft to bank left. The National Herald India reported a pre-flight log noting a “Stabilizer Position Transducer Defect” in the aircraft, which could affect pitch control and potentially influence lateral movements like a bank. If FADEC misread sensor data—such as a faulty ground-air logic signal—it might have initiated an unintended maneuver. “FADEC’s decisions are a black box within a black box,” Captain Desmond noted. “If it acted independently, we may never fully know.”

Pilot-Induced Action: The most controversial theory, raised by Captain Mohan Ranganathan in an NDTV interview, suggests deliberate human intervention. Ranganathan, a respected aviation safety expert, pointed to the fuel cutoff switches’ movement, which requires intentional effort due to their locking mechanism. “It’s not accidental,” he said, noting the pilot monitoring (Captain Sabharwal) had free hands during takeoff. The left bank could indicate a pilot’s attempt to control the aircraft after cutting fuel, perhaps in a moment of distress or intent. Ranganathan’s claim that the captain had a known medical history, including extended leave, has raised eyebrows, though the AAIB confirms both pilots were medically cleared.

External Interference: Though less likely, some speculate an external factor—such as a cyberattack or electromagnetic interference—could have affected the aircraft’s systems, prompting the bank. The Financial Express noted that flight simulations showed no yawing or rudder deflection, suggesting a symmetrical loss of power, which rules out asymmetric thrust issues but doesn’t exclude electronic tampering. This theory remains speculative, with no evidence in the preliminary report.

The Investigation’s Troubling Ambiguities

The AAIB’s preliminary report, released at 1:00 am on July 12, 2025, has been slammed for its lack of clarity. “It’s a case study in silence,” wrote National Herald India. Key omissions include altitude data during the climb, a full transcript of CVR communications, and detailed analysis of FADEC’s role. The report notes the fuel switches moved to “CUTOFF” at 08:08:42 UTC, but the term “transitioned” has drawn criticism for implying manual action without evidence. “In India, we’d say ‘moved,’ not ‘transitioned,’” a pilot told Times of India. “It’s deliberately vague, shielding the manufacturer.”

The left bank’s timing is equally murky. Flight data shows the maneuver occurred seconds after the fuel cutoff, as the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed to provide emergency power. The RAT, activated by 08:08:47 UTC, suggests engine failure around 08:08:40 UTC, yet the plane reached 180 knots two seconds later—a discrepancy that baffles experts. “How does a plane accelerate with no thrust?” a pilot asked Times of India. The landing gear, found in the “DOWN” position, may indicate a failure in the ground-air logic system, potentially confusing FADEC and triggering unintended commands.

The investigation, involving the Indian Air Force, US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and GE, is now focusing on the black boxes, fuel samples, and the fuel control switches’ locking mechanism. A 2018 FAA advisory (SAIB NM-18-33) flagged potential issues with disengaged locking mechanisms on Boeing 787s, but Air India did not act on it, as it was non-mandatory. “That advisory could be critical,” said aviation veteran Shakti Lumba. “Ignoring it was a gamble.”

A Community in Shock

The crash’s toll—260 lives lost—has left India and the global aviation community reeling. Families of the victims, supported by the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust, demand answers. “The report brings no closure,” a relative told RNZ. “Why the left bank? Who did it?” Social media is ablaze with speculation, from pilot error to corporate cover-ups. Liverpool FC, where Diogo Jota played, sent condolences, unaware of the eerie parallel to his own tragic death in a car crash on July 3, 2025.

Rute Cardoso, Jota’s widow, has no connection to Flight 171 but shares the pain of sudden loss. Her discovery of a plane ticket in Diogo’s belongings mirrors the mystery of Flight 171’s left bank—a reminder that unanswered questions haunt those left behind. “It’s like a message from him,” Rute said of her find, echoing the families’ quest for truth.

The Human Cost and Systemic Failures

The pilots, Captain Sabharwal and First Officer Kunder, are at the heart of the controversy. Ranganathan’s claim of a possible pilot-induced crash, citing the captain’s medical history, has sparked outrage. The International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) warned against “premature conclusions,” urging focus on systemic issues like pilot fatigue and mental health. “Pilots are pushed to the limit,” Ranganathan told NDTV. “No airline in India profiles mental health properly.”

The CVR’s ambiguity—failing to identify which pilot spoke—has fueled distrust. “The recorder knows who’s who,” a pilot told Times of India. “Why the vagueness?” The left bank, requiring active control input, suggests the pilots were engaged, not incapacitated, yet their confusion (“I did not do it”) points to a chaotic cockpit.

Boeing and GE face scrutiny over FADEC and the fuel switch design. The National Herald reported prior technical logs noting electrical snags and a false fuel system warning, raising questions about maintenance oversight. “Was this plane fit to fly?” asked MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

What Led to the Maneuver?

The left bank’s purpose remains elusive. If intentional, it could reflect a heroic attempt to avoid casualties on the ground, though the low altitude made success unlikely. If automated, it points to a catastrophic system failure, possibly tied to the stabilizer defect or FADEC glitch. The New York Times noted the absence of yawing or rudder deflection, suggesting a controlled maneuver rather than a stall.

Flight simulations, conducted by the AAIB, show that the landing gear’s failure to retract and the flaps’ extended position didn’t alone cause the crash, deepening the mystery. “The left bank is the key,” an investigator told The Air Current. “It’s not just about the fuel cutoff—it’s why the plane turned.”

A Bigger Issue?

The crash exposes broader issues in aviation safety. The FAA’s non-mandatory advisory, ignored by Air India, highlights regulatory gaps. “Non-mandatory doesn’t mean unimportant,” said Lumba. The DGCA reported 65 in-flight engine shutdowns in India from 2020 to 2025, none as deadly but signaling systemic risks. Pilot unions demand better mental health screening, while families call for a judicial inquiry. “This isn’t just about one flight,” said MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. “It’s about trust in aviation.”

The Path Ahead

The AAIB’s final report, expected in months or years, will scrutinize the black boxes, fuel samples, and switch mechanisms. The left bank, a deliberate act in a 32-second tragedy, holds the key. Was it a pilot’s last stand, a system’s betrayal, or something darker? As families mourn and the world watches, the truth remains elusive, but the quest for answers burns on.