Investigators link Air India crash to seat lock failure

A preliminary investigation has revealed that a faulty locking mechanism in the captain’s seat was responsible for the tragic Air India Boeing 787 crash that claimed 270 lives.

The report, released on Wednesday, indicates that the pilot’s seat unexpectedly slid backward during takeoff on June 12, causing the captain to unintentionally pull the throttle levers to idle.

This abrupt reduction in engine power led to a stall within seconds, resulting in the aircraft crashing into a residential area in Ahmedabad.

Investigators found that the co-pilot was unable to regain control of the aircraft due to the captain’s reclined and obstructive position. Cockpit data confirmed that the seat shifted just 12 seconds after takeoff, with the plane stalling at an altitude of only 214 feet.

Further analysis revealed that the Boeing 787 lacked essential safety features in its throttle system. In response, aviation regulators in the U.S. and Europe have issued urgent directives for inspection of similar pilot seats across various airlines.

Air India has since grounded 12 of its aircraft for thorough review. Boeing has pledged to redesign the seat mechanism by 2026. Tragically, only one person a British national survived the accident.

A final report is expected to be released in July.