A preliminary crash investigation into the recent Air India disaster has revealed that a malfunction in the pilot’s seat mechanism was the root cause of the tragic accident that killed 270 people.
The report points to a seat that unexpectedly slid backwards during takeoff, leading to an unintentional throttle rollback and subsequent stall.
The Boeing 787-8, operating as flight 171, went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The aircraft crashed into a nearby residential building that housed healthcare workers, killing passengers, crew, and residents. A British national was the only survivor.
According to the AFP, investigators say the captain’s seat locking mechanism failed, causing the seat to abruptly slide back 12 seconds into takeoff.
This movement inadvertently pulled the throttle levers to idle, cutting engine power at a critical moment. Within seconds, the co-pilot shouted, “We’re losing thrust!” But attempts to recover the aircraft were hindered by the captain’s reclined position, which blocked access to critical controls.
Data retrieved from the cockpit voice and flight data recorders show that just 26 seconds after the seat malfunction, the aircraft stalled at an altitude of 214 feet and nosedived into the building.
The report also raised concerns about the Boeing 787’s throttle system, noting it lacked essential safety features like reverse-motion protection and weight-sensitive lockout mechanisms that could have prevented such an error.
In response to the findings, global aviation regulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), have ordered urgent inspections of pilot seats across all Boeing 787 fleets.
“We are treating this matter with utmost urgency,” said a spokesperson from EASA. “Passenger safety is non-negotiable, and this flaw must be addressed globally.”
Air India has since grounded a dozen aircraft with similar maintenance logs, while Boeing has pledged to redesign the seat system, with a rollout expected by 2026.
Boeing, in a brief statement, said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and are working closely with regulators to enhance cockpit safety.”
The final accident report is expected to be released in July. Meanwhile, aviation experts say the crash has triggered calls for sweeping reforms in aircraft component inspections and a renewed focus on cockpit safety systems.
“The lives lost must not be in vain,” said Captain Rahil Mukherjee, an Indian aviation safety analyst. “This tragedy shows how even a minor mechanical issue can cascade into catastrophic failure. Manufacturers and airlines must act now to prevent a repeat.”