A preliminary investigation into the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787 that killed 270 people has revealed that a defective locking mechanism in the captain’s seat was the root cause of the disaster.
According to the report, the captain’s seat unexpectedly slid backward during takeoff, causing the pilot’s hands to inadvertently pull the throttle levers into idle position. This resulted in an abrupt loss of engine thrust just seconds after the aircraft became airborne, leading to a fatal stall and crash into a nearby building that housed medical personnel.
“The co-pilot’s attempt to regain control was blocked by the captain’s reclined position,” the report noted.
Key cockpit data provided a timeline of the critical moments:
- +12 seconds: Seat slides back
- +15 seconds: Co-pilot shouts, “We’re losing thrust!”
- +26 seconds: Aircraft stalls at 214 feet
The report also highlighted the absence of essential safety features in the 787’s throttle system, such as reverse-motion protection and weight-based lockouts — design elements that could have prevented the accident.
In response to the findings, aviation regulators around the world have begun taking action. Both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have issued urgent directives for the inspection of pilot seats on all Boeing 787 aircraft.
Air India has since grounded 12 aircraft with similar maintenance histories, and Boeing has pledged to redesign the pilot seat mechanism by 2026.
The crash resulted in the deaths of passengers, crew members, and residents of the impacted building. The only survivor is a British national, who remains hospitalized.
Authorities say a final report is expected in July. Meanwhile, global aviation regulators have promised tougher inspection protocols and sweeping reforms aimed at enhancing aircraft safety standards worldwide.
