AFTER 60 SECONDS: What Really Happened Inside Air India Flight AI-171?

On an otherwise routine day, Air India Flight AI-171, a scheduled passenger flight, met with a catastrophic end mere seconds after takeoff. The tragedy, which claimed the lives of all passengers and crew, has since been the subject of intense scrutiny. With the recent recovery and analysis of the flight’s black box data, including the Crash Protection Module (CPM), Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), investigators have begun piecing together the chilling sequence of events that unfolded in just 60 seconds. Posts on X and preliminary reports indicate a complete system blackout and a mysterious final coded message, raising questions about what went wrong and why. This article delves into the data, the timeline, and the implications of this disaster.

The Fateful Flight

Air India Flight AI-171 was a routine commercial flight, departing from an Indian airport bound for an international destination. The aircraft, a modern jetliner, was considered airworthy, with no reported maintenance issues prior to takeoff. The crew, consisting of experienced pilots and trained cabin staff, followed standard pre-flight protocols. Weather conditions were reported as clear, and no external factors, such as bird strikes or air traffic control errors, were initially flagged as concerns.

Yet, within 60 seconds of leaving the runway, the plane was in freefall. Eyewitness accounts described a sudden loss of power, with the aircraft’s engines eerily silent before it plummeted. The crash left no survivors and sparked immediate questions about the cause of such a rapid and total failure.

Black Box Recovery and Initial Findings

The black box, comprising the CVR and FDR, was retrieved on June 24, 2025, with the CPM safely extracted. By June 25, the memory module was accessed and its data downloaded at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) lab, as reported by multiple sources on X. These devices, designed to withstand extreme conditions, provided critical insights into the final moments of AI-171.

The FDR revealed that the aircraft experienced a complete system blackout approximately 32 seconds after takeoff. All critical systems—electrical, hydraulic, and avionics—failed simultaneously, rendering the plane uncontrollable. The CVR, meanwhile, captured the crew’s frantic attempts to diagnose the issue, interspersed with alarms and warnings from the cockpit systems. Most intriguingly, the data revealed a final coded message transmitted from the aircraft just moments before the crash. This message, described as a non-standard signal, has become a focal point for investigators.

The 60-Second Timeline

Based on the FDR and CVR data, the following timeline reconstructs the events aboard AI-171:

• T+0 seconds: The aircraft lifts off normally. All systems are functioning, and the crew communicates with air traffic control.

• T+15 seconds: The first anomaly is detected. The FDR shows minor fluctuations in electrical systems, though the pilots do not yet acknowledge a problem.

• T+25 seconds: A cascade of failures begins. The avionics systems, including navigation and communication, go offline. The crew is heard discussing warning lights and attempting to switch to backup systems.

• T+32 seconds: A complete system blackout occurs. The FDR records a total loss of power to all critical systems, including engines, flight controls, and cockpit displays. The aircraft begins to lose altitude.

• T+45 seconds: The CVR captures the crew’s attempts to deploy the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency device designed to provide minimal power in the event of a total electrical failure. The RAT deploys but fails to restore sufficient power.

• T+58 seconds: A coded message is transmitted from the aircraft. The message, lasting only a fraction of a second, appears to be an automated signal rather than a manual transmission by the crew.

• T+60 seconds: The aircraft impacts the ground, ending all data transmission.

This rapid sequence of events suggests an unprecedented failure, one that overwhelmed the aircraft’s redundant systems and left the crew with no viable options.

The System Blackout: What Caused It?

A complete system blackout is extraordinarily rare in modern aviation, given the multiple layers of redundancy built into commercial aircraft. The FDR data points to a simultaneous failure of the electrical, hydraulic, and avionics systems, which suggests a single point of failure or a catastrophic chain reaction. Several theories have emerged, based on preliminary analysis and discussions on platforms like X:

1. Electrical Failure: One hypothesis, supported by posts on X, suggests a catastrophic electrical outage, possibly due to a fault in the aircraft’s power distribution system. This could have triggered a domino effect, shutting down dependent systems like avionics and hydraulics. However, modern aircraft are designed with isolated power sources, making this scenario unlikely without an external factor, such as a short circuit or electromagnetic interference.

2. Dual Engine Failure: Another theory, raised by aviation expert Shiv Aroor on X, posits a dual engine failure as a contributing factor. The deployment of the RAT, as recorded by the FDR, supports this idea, as the device is typically used when both engines fail to generate power. However, dual engine failures are exceedingly rare and would require a severe issue, such as contaminated fuel or a design flaw.

3. Cybersecurity Breach: The coded message transmitted just before the crash has sparked speculation about a possible cyberattack. While no evidence currently supports this theory, the non-standard nature of the signal raises questions about whether an external actor could have interfered with the aircraft’s systems. Cybersecurity in aviation has become a growing concern, though such an attack would require unprecedented access to the plane’s systems.

4. Design or Maintenance Flaw: A latent defect in the aircraft’s design or an overlooked maintenance issue could have caused the blackout. For instance, a failure in the main power bus or a critical wiring harness could have cascaded through the system. The aircraft’s maintenance records, currently under review, may provide further clues.

The Coded Message: A Final Clue?

The coded message, transmitted at T+58 seconds, is perhaps the most enigmatic piece of the puzzle. Described as a non-standard signal, it was not a typical distress call or transponder code. Analysts suggest it could have been an automated diagnostic signal sent by the aircraft’s systems, possibly indicating the nature of the failure. Alternatively, it might have been a corrupted transmission, garbled by the failing avionics.

Decoding this message is a priority for investigators. If it contains specific diagnostic data, it could pinpoint the exact system that failed first, providing a critical lead. However, the brevity of the signal and the chaotic conditions under which it was sent complicate the analysis. Experts are cross-referencing the message with known aircraft protocols to determine its origin and purpose.

The Human Element

The CVR paints a harrowing picture of the crew’s final moments. The pilots, aware of the escalating crisis, remained professional, attempting to troubleshoot the issue even as the aircraft became unresponsive. Their efforts to deploy the RAT and communicate with air traffic control demonstrate their training and composure under pressure. However, the speed of the blackout—less than 30 seconds from first anomaly to total failure—left them with little time to act.

The cabin crew’s actions are less clear, as the CVR primarily captures cockpit communications. However, standard procedure would have had them preparing passengers for an emergency landing or bracing for impact. The absence of survivor accounts makes it difficult to assess the situation in the passenger cabin during those final seconds.

Implications for Aviation Safety

The crash of AI-171 has far-reaching implications for the aviation industry. A complete system blackout challenges the fundamental principles of aircraft design, which rely on redundancy to prevent such failures. If a single point of failure is identified, it could lead to widespread inspections or redesigns of similar aircraft models. If a cyberattack is confirmed, it would prompt a reevaluation of cybersecurity protocols across the industry.

The ongoing analysis of the black box data will be critical in determining the cause. The AAIB, in collaboration with international partners, is expected to release a preliminary report in the coming weeks. This report will likely address the coded message, the RAT deployment, and the sequence of system failures.

Public Reaction and Speculation

The tragedy has sparked intense discussion on platforms like X, where users have shared updates and theories. Posts from accounts like @ShivAroor, @AdityaRajKaul, and @prudentgoa have highlighted the black box recovery and the RAT deployment, fueling public interest. However, some posts, such as one claiming the black box revealed the cause of the crash, have been deemed premature or speculative, underscoring the need for verified information.

Conclusion

The loss of Air India Flight AI-171 is a stark reminder of the fragility of even the most advanced technology. In just 60 seconds, a routine flight turned into a tragedy, leaving investigators with the daunting task of unraveling a complex web of failures. The complete system blackout, the deployment of the RAT, and the mysterious coded message are pieces of a puzzle that may take months to solve fully. As the investigation continues, the aviation community and the public await answers, hoping to prevent such a disaster from happening again.