The crash of Air India Flight AI-171 near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, claimed 241 lives, leaving only one survivor. Preliminary investigations revealed that a mechanical failure involving the captain’s seat played a central role. During takeoff, the seat reportedly slid backward due to a faulty locking mechanism, which caused the pilot to inadvertently pull the throttle into idle, cutting engine thrust at a critical moment. The co-pilot attempted to regain control, but was obstructed by the captain’s position. This led to a loss of lift and the aircraft’s eventual crash into a building. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had undergone regular maintenance and passed recent safety inspections, and both pilots were adequately experienced, with the captain logging over 8,200 flight hours.

In response, Air India grounded several aircraft and canceled multiple international flights, including routes to major cities like London, Paris, and Dubai. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered fleet-wide inspections of all 33 Dreamliners operated by Air India, citing concerns over maintenance and shortages of spare parts. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also issued urgent directives for seat mechanism inspections. Boeing has committed to redesigning the faulty seat system by 2026. The final report is expected in July 2025, but authorities have already pledged sweeping safety reforms. Officials described the incident as a preventable tragedy and emphasized the need for immediate corrective action to avoid future disasters.