New Delhi — A faulty seat mechanism in the cockpit of an Air India Boeing 787 was the primary cause of the devastating crash that killed 270 people, according to findings from a preliminary investigation released Wednesday.
The report indicates that during takeoff, the captain’s seat unexpectedly slid backward, prompting the pilot to inadvertently pull the throttle levers into the idle position. The abrupt reduction in engine power caused the aircraft to stall mid-ascent before crashing into a nearby residential building that housed medical workers.
Flight data recorders confirmed that the seat shifted just 12 seconds after takeoff, and moments later, the co-pilot was heard shouting about a loss of thrust. Investigators say the crew’s efforts to recover were hindered by the captain’s reclined position, which limited access to key controls during the emergency.
Further scrutiny revealed the absence of critical safety mechanisms in the throttle system—most notably, the lack of reverse-motion protection that could have prevented the throttle from being pulled unintentionally.
In response to the findings, aviation regulators including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have ordered immediate inspections of all Boeing 787 pilot seats. Air India has since grounded 12 aircraft of the same model pending further safety reviews.
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has acknowledged the issue and announced plans to redesign the pilot seat system, with a rollout expected by 2026.
The crash, which occurred shortly after departure from Indira Gandhi International Airport, claimed the lives of passengers, crew, and several individuals on the ground. Among the 271 people on board, a British national was the sole survivor.