Did double engine failure cause the Air India plane crash? PIB fact-checks

A post doing the rounds on WhatsApp claims that the AAIB probe revealed that a double engine failure was the reason behind the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Updated on: Jun 16, 2025, 22:45:59 IST

By HT News Desk

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Days after the deadly Air India plane crash claimed 270 lives, a report claiming to reveal the findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has made rounds of social media, especially WhatsApp.

Debris of Air India flight 171 is pictured after it crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad. (AFP)

The Press Information Bureau's fact-checking unit has dismissed this report as "fake."

The fake report claims that the AAIB probe revealed that a double engine failure was the reason behind the Ahmedabad plane crash.

Also Read: ‘Seen many crises, nothing like this’: Air India chairman Chandrasekaran on plane crash

Furthermore, the WhatsApp forward message also claims that Air India flight 171 has headed to London's Heathrow airport, which is false. Based on the information issued by the airline itself, the flight took off from Ahmedabad for London's Gatwick airport.

The post also claims that a total of 243 people were on board the flight, which is false. A total of 242 people were on board the Gatwick-bound flight, which included 12 cabin crew members and 230 passengers.

What was the reason behind the crash?

Following the plane crash in Ahmedabad, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau stated it will be carrying out a probe into the incident.

Along with AAIB, investigators from the US, UK and Boeing will also be looking into the matter to ascertain the reason behind the deadly plane crash.

Also Read: Mayday! Mayday!' Air India pilot's final radio message before deadly Ahmedabad plane crash

As of now, none of the agencies has released their reports. Both black boxes of AI flight 171 have been recovered. The second black box contains the voice recorder for the Boeing 787 aircraft and the first one holds the flight data.

Air India's flight 171 took off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport on Thursday - June 12, for London's Gatwick Airport. The flight, crashed seconds after its takeoff, killing 241 passengers and cabin crew on board. The only sole survivor of the flight was a 40-year-old British national who was seated near the emergency exit.

The plane crash into a student hostel of BJ Medical College, killing 29 people on ground and taking the total death toll to 270.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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