Pilot’s Faulty Seat Caused Air India Crash, Report Reveals

A preliminary investigation into the tragic crash of Air India flight 171 has revealed that a faulty locking mechanism in the captain’s seat was the primary cause of the disaster that killed 270 people. The Boeing 787-8 crashed into a residential building shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, leaving only one survivor—a British national.

According to the report, the pilot’s seat unexpectedly slid backward during takeoff, causing the captain’s hands to unintentionally pull the throttle levers to idle. The resulting loss of engine thrust occurred just seconds after liftoff, causing the aircraft to stall at an altitude of 214 feet before crashing into a building that housed medical workers. Attempts by the co-pilot to recover control were unsuccessful, as the captain’s reclined position obstructed access to the controls.

Data from the cockpit voice and flight recorders confirmed the sequence of events. At 12 seconds into the flight, the seat slid back. Three seconds later, the co-pilot shouted, “We’re losing thrust!” By 26 seconds, the aircraft had stalled and began its fatal descent.

Investigators also highlighted critical safety oversights in the Boeing 787’s throttle system, including the lack of reverse-motion protection and weight-based lockouts that could have prevented unintended throttle movement. In response to the findings, both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have ordered urgent inspections of all Boeing 787 pilot seats.

Air India has grounded 12 aircraft with similar maintenance records pending further checks. Boeing has committed to redesigning the pilot seat mechanism by 2026. The airline had previously stated that the aircraft was well-maintained before the crash.

Authorities expect to release the final report in July. In the meantime, global aviation regulators are calling for enhanced inspection protocols and systemic reforms to improve flight safety worldwide.