A preliminary investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI-171 reveals a tragic mechanical failure: the pilot’s seat slid backward during takeoff due to a faulty locking mechanism. This caused the captain to unintentionally pull the throttle into idle, cutting engine thrust just seconds after liftoff.
The co-pilot’s efforts to regain control were hampered by the captain’s position, and the Boeing 787 lost lift, crashing into a nearby building. The crash killed 270 people, including passengers, crew, and people on the ground. A British passenger is the only survivor; over 40 others were injured.
