KKN Gurugram Desk | The tragic Air India Flight AI‑171 crash at Ahmedabad has taken an ominous turn: Aviation experts now suggest that “air lock”—a fuel system blockage caused by trapped air bubbles—may be the main culprit behind this disaster. The Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew from Ahmedabad to London went down just 36 seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025, killing 270+ people. Investigators worldwide are racing to confirm the theory amid continuing speculation and newly recovered black box data.

 What Is “Air Lock” – and Why It Matters

In aviation, an air lock refers to trapped air pockets within the fuel lines or tanks that disrupt the continuous flow to engines. When air enters, it blocks fuel delivery, leading to reduced or halted engine thrust. In aircraft like the Boeing 787—a twin-engine jet—even a single engine failure can be risky; but loss of both engines simultaneously becomes catastrophic.

Preliminary expert assessments suggest that air lock may explain the abrupt loss of power on both engines of Flight AI‑171 shortly after takeoff, resulting in a stalling climb and the fatal crash into a medical college hostel.

Evidence Behind the “Air Lock” Theory

1. RAT Deployment Detected
   Videos of the crash show the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploying. This small turbine generates emergency power when both primary electrical and engine systems fail—supporting the hypothesis of dual engine failure

2. “Mayday” Call Caught on Recorder
   The cockpit voice recorder captured a last-second Mayday referencing “no power” just 36 seconds after liftoff—consistent with sudden multi-engine thrust loss

3. Retrieval of Black Boxes
   Indian authorities have retrieved both the FDR and CVR. Early analysis is now focused on engine thrust data, fuel system irregularities, and technical performance during critical takeoff moments .

What Caused Air Lock? Potential System Failures

Aviation mechanics note several possible origins for air lock in fuel systems:

• Incomplete maintenance procedures that allowed air into lines

• Fuel tank venting or pressure issues, enabling bubble formation

• Fuel system design flaws in Boeing 787’s GEnx engines

• Recent refuels with air contamination not caught by fuel checks

Investigators, including the AAIB, DGCA, and international agencies, are meticulously reviewing maintenance logs, engine health monitoring data, and staff records to trace the root cause.

Global Response and Safety Reviews

Following the crash, Air India has temporarily grounded its fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. The DGCA has ordered enhanced inspections around fuel systems, engine actuators, flaps, and electrical redundancies .

Several global aviation regulators, including the FAA and NTSB, are providing technical assistance. Boeing and GE have also dispatched teams to examine engine-mounted equipment and system designs .

Survivor Account Validates Sudden Failure

British passenger Vishwash Kumar Ramesh—seated at seat 11A near an emergency exit—miraculously survived. He escaped the wreckage minutes after the crash and has provided eyewitness reports of fluctuating engine sounds and a sudden stall. He escaped just before detonation .

 Other Crash Theories Ruled Out in Early Analysis

Investigators have discounted earlier speculation such as:

• Bird strikes during takeoff

• Landing gear malfunction, as videos show gear stowed correctly

• Pilot error, as the mayday indicates an unresponsive mechanical failure

Instead, attention has turned to dual engine power loss—a dynamic matching both “air lock” and physical evidence.

Wider Impact on Aviation Safety

This crash—marked as the deadliest involving a Boeing 787—has shaken global confidence in the modern aircraft model .

• Air India has cancelled eight international flights, grounding several of its Dreamliners

• DNA matching for victims has started, with over 167 identifications so far

• The crash has triggered political and aviation scrutiny into maintenance standards and fuel system design

The “air lock” hypothesis currently tops expert explanations for the Ahmedabad AI‑171 crash, linking key clues such as emergency RAT deployment and loss of engine power, as evidenced by the mayday call. Authorities are conducting global-level investigations into fuel system health, maintenance records, and Boeing 787-certified fuel lines.

As rescue and identification of victims continue, the aviation industry awaits final AAIB findings. Meanwhile, international safety directives and extended inspections are being initiated to prevent a repeat of such a catastrophic failure.