New Delhi, July 12: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has published its preliminary report on the fatal accident of Air India's Boeing 787-8 plane that was operating flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12. A total of 260 people, including many on the ground, died in the crash that happened soon after take off.

Following Are Some of the Key Points From AAIB’s 15-Page Report,

  • 230 passengers and 12 crew members were onboard the aircraft. Fifteen passengers were in business class and 215 passengers, including two infants, in economy class.

  • 54,200 kilograms of fuel onboard; aircraft's take off weight of 2,13,401 kgs within permissible limits. No 'Dangerous Goods' were in aircraft.

  • Aircraft lifted off at 08:08:39 UTC (13:08:39 IST) engine fuel control switches turned off with a time gap of 1 second. The switches were turned on later. Air India Plane Crash: Boeing Issues First Statement After AAIB Preliminary Report Into AI171 Crash That Claimed 260 Lives.

  • At about 08:09:05 UTC (13:09:05 hours IST), one of the pilots transmitted 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY'. Air Traffic Controller enquired about the call sign but did not get any response and saw aircraft crashing outside airport boundary.

  • Wreckage site activities including drone photography/videography completed; wreckage moved to a secure area near the airport.

  • Both engines retrieved and quarantined at a hangar in the airport.

  • Fuel samples taken from bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft tested at DGCA's Lab and found satisfactory. Air India Ahmedabad Plane Crash Probe: Seconds After Takeoff, AI171’s Fuel Control Switches Cut Off, Says AAIB Preliminary Report.

  • At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers.

  • Additional details are being gathered based on the initial leads.

  • Investigation team will review and examine additional evidence, records and information that is being sought from stakeholders.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)