A leaked 58-second cockpit video of Air India Flight 171, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has surfaced, providing a chilling glimpse into the final moments before the tragedy that claimed 260 lives. The footage, which reportedly shows a flashing warning light shortly before both engines failed, has heightened attention on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, its General Electric GEnx-1B67 engines, and Air India’s maintenance practices. This article analyzes the leaked video, its implications, and the broader context of the ongoing investigation, using available information to reconstruct the possible events aboard the ill-fated flight.
The leaked cockpit footage: What it reveals
The 58-second video, allegedly shot from the cockpit of Air India Flight 171, shows critical moments during the takeoff roll and initial climb. According to sources familiar with the footage, a warning light on the cockpit instrument panel begins flashing, indicating a potential problem. Moments later, both engines reportedly fail, resulting in a catastrophic loss of thrust. The co-pilot’s voice, previously recorded on the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) as “We’re going down” 18 seconds before impact, fits the timing of the video and suggests that the engine failure occurred in the final seconds of the short 30-second flight phase.
The meaning of the warning light is a key point. In modern aircraft like the Boeing 787, the warning lights are linked to the Electronic Centralized Aircraft Monitor (ECAM) system, which alerts pilots to anomalies such as engine malfunctions, hydraulic failures, or electrical problems. The exact meaning of the warning light in the video has not been publicly confirmed, but speculation points to a possible engine malfunction, low oil pressure, or a fuel system warning. The sudden failure of both engines, as depicted, is consistent with reports of a “loud bang” heard by the sole survivor and the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power system activated in the event of major electrical or engine failures.
The video reportedly also shows the pilots’ attempts to respond to the crisis. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal made a distress call seconds after takeoff, reporting “no thrust, loss of power, unable to take off,” according to posts on X. The footage presumably documents the crew’s efforts to correct the problem. Attempts may also have been made to retract the landing gear, but it remained partially extended, as evidenced by external videos showing the gear in a tilted position. The inability to fully retract the landing gear suggests a hydraulic or electrical malfunction, possibly related to the engine failure.
Context of the crash
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad International Airport at 1:38 PM IST on June 12, 2025, bound for London Gatwick. Aboard were 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Just 30 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 190 meters before rapidly descending and crashing into a hostel in the Meghani Nagar district of Ahmedabad. All but one of the passengers and 19 other people on the ground were killed in the crash, and at least 60 others were injured.
Surveillance camera and eyewitness footage, including a 17-second clip from a teenager, show the plane, nose up and landing gear partially extended, attempting to gain altitude before hitting the ground, triggering a massive explosion. The sole survivor reported hearing a loud bang and feeling the plane “hang in the air” before the crash. The cabin lights went out, and the green emergency light was activated, indicating a sudden power failure.
Both Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs), which combine the functions of the CVR and the Flight Data Recorder (FDR), were recovered from the wreckage by June 16 and sent to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) laboratory in Delhi for analysis. While the leaked video is unverified, it is consistent with the timing and results of these recorders, particularly the co-pilot’s statement and the RAT activation, which indicates a severe electrical or engine failure.
Theories and possible causes
The leaked footage has fueled speculation about the cause of the engine failure. Based on the available evidence and expert analysis, several theories have emerged:
Dual engine failure : The fact that both engines fail in the video is highly unusual, as dual-engine failures are extremely rare in modern aviation. Experts point out that the Boeing 787 is designed to fly with a single engine and has redundancies such as the Reserve Engine Attenuated Air System (RAT) and the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) to keep critical systems running. A simulation conducted by Air India pilots in Mumbai failed to simulate dual engine failure due to electrical failures, suggesting that such an event would be nearly impossible to recover from at low altitude (below 120 meters). The lack of visible bird carcasses or smoke in the exterior shots reduces the likelihood of a bird strike, even though Ahmedabad Airport is known for its bird activity. Fuel contamination, another possible cause, has been discussed, but evidence is lacking, as the aircraft’s fuel tank was almost full.
Electrical or hydraulic failure : The deployment of the RAT, visible in exterior shots as a “small gray dot” under the wing, indicates a complete electrical or hydraulic failure, possibly triggered by an engine failure. The partially retracted gear indicates an interrupted retraction process, possibly due to a hydraulic failure. The cockpit warning light could have signaled an electrical problem, such as a failure of the engine-driven generators or a fault in the aircraft’s electrical system. There is speculation about a switch in the wrong position increasing the electrical load during gear retraction, but this is unconfirmed.
Flap configuration issues : Initial theories suggested that incorrect flap settings may have contributed to the crash, as flaps and slats are critical for generating lift during takeoff. However, wreckage photographs and video analysis indicate that the slats were extended, suggesting the flaps were likely deployed correctly, as the Boeing 787 automatically extends slats when flaps are activated. Although flap malfunction was considered, the presence of extended slats and simulation results—where a single engine with an incorrect flap setting still allowed a climb—reduce the likelihood that flaps were the primary cause.
Pilot error or maintenance issues : Posts on X have raised the possibility of a pilot seat sliding failure due to unlocked pins, although this is speculative and not supported by verified evidence. Air India’s maintenance system is under scrutiny. The Indian Civil Aviation Authority has identified coordination issues but no major safety deficiencies in the airline’s Dreamliner fleet. The aircraft’s right engine was newly installed in March 2025, and the left engine was last serviced in 2023; both engines have a clean history.
Impact on Boeing, Air India and flight safety
The leaked video has significant implications for Boeing, Air India, and the entire aviation industry. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, in service since 2011 and with over 1,000 delivered, had a nearly flawless safety record until this crash, the first fatal accident. A systemic problem with the 787 or its GEnx engines could have far-reaching consequences for Boeing and General Electric, leading to increased inspections and possible grounding. Air India has already canceled 66 Dreamliner flights and reduced international wide-body operations by 15% for security screening. As of June 18, 2025, 26 of the 33 Dreamliners were cleared to return to service.
The leaked video raises questions about the security of the data from the accident investigation, as cockpit footage is typically confidential and accessible only to investigators. Its release could complicate the work of the AAIB, which is led by Indian authorities and supported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and British experts. The investigation, whose preliminary report is expected within 30 days, will focus on FDR and CVR data, engine condition, and maintenance records to corroborate the video’s findings.
Public sentiment, as reflected on X, is characterized by panic and speculation about the manufacturing practices of Boeing and Air India. This concern is exacerbated by the high death toll and the emotional toll of the co-pilot’s final words. The aviation industry is under pressure to restore confidence, particularly as the 787 is a vital mainstay for many airlines. The lack of a grounding suggests that investigators have not yet identified a systemic flaw. However, the final report, expected within 12 months, will be crucial.
Diploma
The leaked 58-second cockpit video of Air India Flight 171 offers a harrowing glimpse into the moments before the crash. A flashing warning light and a sudden engine failure underscore the severity of the emergency. While the footage is consistent with other evidence—such as the RAT deployment, the partially retracted landing gear, and the co-pilot’s final words—it raises more questions than it answers. Was the engine failure due to a mechanical failure, fuel issues, or an electrical anomaly? Did maintenance deficiencies or human error play a role? As investigators analyze the flight recorder data and the wreckage, the aviation world awaits clarity in this tragedy. For now, the video serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of ensuring safety in modern aviation and the enormous human cost that system failures exact.
