EXCLUSIVE: Air India 171 Maintenance Log Missing Pages Deepens Crash Mystery
The investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that plummeted into Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar neighborhood on June 12, 2025, killing 241 of 242 onboard and 34 on the ground, has taken a dramatic turn. Newly uncovered evidence reveals that the aircraft’s maintenance log is missing two critical pages documenting work on the throttle cables, and investigators suspect this omission was deliberate. Combined with previously leaked CCTV footage showing co-pilot Clive Kunder’s suspicious behavior and a cockpit voice recorder (CVR) capturing a fear-laden voice crack, this revelation raises troubling questions about potential sabotage, oversight failures, or deeper systemic issues at Air India. This article examines the missing maintenance log pages, their implications for the throttle control system, and how they connect to the broader investigation, drawing on insights from aviation experts and preliminary findings from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The Missing Maintenance Log Pages: A Deliberate Omission?
According to sources close to the investigation, the maintenance log for VT-ANB, the Boeing 787-8 involved in the crash, lacks two pages covering maintenance performed on the throttle control module (TCM) between April 15 and April 30, 2025. These pages reportedly detailed inspections or repairs to the throttle cables, which are integral to the aircraft’s thrust management and fuel control systems. The AAIB, in collaboration with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing, discovered the gap during a routine audit of the aircraft’s records, which otherwise showed compliance with airworthiness standards until May 2026.
The missing pages are significant because the TCM houses the fuel control switches, which inexplicably moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” three seconds after takeoff, causing both GE Aerospace GEnx-1B engines to lose power. The AAIB’s preliminary report, released on July 8, 2025, noted that these switches, equipped with spring-loaded stop-lock mechanisms, require deliberate manual action to move, ruling out accidental toggling. Investigators now believe the omission of the log pages was intentional, potentially to conceal improper maintenance, unauthorized modifications, or defects in the throttle cables that could have contributed to the crash.
A former Air India maintenance engineer, speaking anonymously to NDTV, suggested that throttle cable wear or improper calibration could interfere with the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, leading to erroneous signals or unintended switch movements. “If the cables were frayed or misaligned, it could cause a false reading, but hiding this in the logs points to something more sinister,” they said. The AAIB has not confirmed these claims but has prioritized forensic analysis of the TCM wreckage, which was recovered intact but heavily damaged.
Connecting the Dots: CCTV Footage and Cockpit Audio
The maintenance log mystery compounds existing questions raised by leaked CCTV footage and CVR data. The footage, obtained from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, shows co-pilot Clive Kunder entering the cockpit at 13:31 IST, seven minutes before takeoff. Frame-by-frame analysis reveals Kunder glancing over his shoulder twice—once at 13:31:45 IST and again at 13:32:10 IST—actions interpreted by some as signs of unease or awareness of being watched. The CVR, recovered on June 16, 2025, captures a metallic snap at T-18 seconds (13:39:12 IST), followed by Kunder’s voice cracking with fear as he says, “We’re losing thrust!” Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot-in-command, then exclaims, “My seat!” before one pilot asks, “Why did you cut off?” and the other responds, “I did not do so.”
The missing log pages raise the possibility that a pre-existing issue with the throttle cables could have triggered the fuel switch cutoff, either through a mechanical fault or by exacerbating pilot confusion during the critical takeoff phase. Aviation safety expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a former member of India’s Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council, told Gulf News that the throttle cables’ condition could be pivotal. “If maintenance was skipped or falsified, it could explain why the switches moved unexpectedly. This isn’t just human error—it could be systemic negligence,” he said.
The Throttle Control Module and Fuel Switches: A Technical Overview
The Boeing 787’s TCM, located between the pilots’ seats, integrates the throttle levers and fuel control switches. These switches, designed to manage fuel flow to the engines, are guarded by metal brackets and feature a stop-lock mechanism requiring a deliberate pull-and-move action to shift between “RUN” and “CUTOFF.” The throttle cables connect the levers to the FADEC, which regulates engine performance. A 2018 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) warned of potential disengagement of fuel switch locking mechanisms on some Boeing aircraft, including the 787, though Air India did not conduct the recommended inspections, as they were not mandatory.
The missing log pages reportedly cover a period when the TCM was inspected or serviced, potentially revealing issues like cable fraying, improper tension, or unauthorized repairs. Such defects could, in theory, cause the throttle levers to miscommunicate with the FADEC, leading to an erroneous cutoff signal. However, the AAIB report emphasizes that the switches themselves showed no physical damage or wear, and Air India’s post-crash inspections of its 33 Boeing 787s found no issues with the FCS locking mechanisms.
Theories: Sabotage, Negligence, or Mechanical Failure?
The missing log pages have fueled three primary theories:
Sabotage or Deliberate Concealment: The deliberate removal of log pages suggests someone—potentially within Air India’s maintenance team—sought to hide evidence of improper work. This could point to sabotage or an attempt to cover up negligence, such as using non-certified parts or skipping required checks. The AAIB is reportedly investigating maintenance personnel records and interviewing ground crew from April 2025.
Mechanical Failure Linked to Throttle Cables: Frayed or miscalibrated throttle cables could have caused an unexpected interaction with the fuel switches, though the stop-lock mechanism makes this unlikely without prior tampering. The 2019 and 2023 TCM replacements, unrelated to fuel switches, add complexity, as no defects were reported since.
Human Error Amplified by Maintenance Issues: The pilots’ confusion on the CVR, combined with Captain Sabharwal’s mention of his seat, suggests a possible mechanical issue (e.g., a seat pin failure) or distraction during takeoff. Missing maintenance records could indicate an unreported TCM issue that contributed to the pilots’ actions or misinterpretations.
A Reddit thread on r/aviation speculated that a tired or distracted maintenance worker could have left the TCM in an improper state, though users noted that the stop-lock mechanism makes accidental switch movement “near impossible.”
Broader Implications for Air India and Aviation Safety
The missing log pages have intensified scrutiny of Air India’s maintenance practices. The airline’s failure to act on the 2018 FAA advisory, combined with the log discrepancy, has raised questions about regulatory oversight and compliance. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered additional inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet on July 14, 2025, with no issues found, but public confidence remains shaken.
The incident also underscores the need for enhanced maintenance documentation protocols. “A missing log page is a red flag,” said aviation analyst Mary Schiavo in an interview with the Financial Express. “It’s not just about the cables—it’s about trust in the entire system.” Calls for cockpit video recorders have resurfaced, as they could clarify whether the pilots interacted with the TCM during takeoff, though pilot unions continue to resist due to privacy concerns.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
The AAIB, supported by the NTSB and Boeing, is conducting forensic tests on the TCM and fuel samples, with results expected in early 2026. The final report, due by July 2026, will likely address the missing log pages and their implications. India’s civil aviation minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, assured reporters that “all international protocols” are being followed, but public pressure for answers is mounting.
Families of the victims, devastated by the loss of 275 lives, are demanding transparency. “If someone hid maintenance issues, they need to be held accountable,” said Priya Desai, who lost her sister in the crash, in a BBC interview. The Indian Commercial Pilot’s Association has urged caution, criticizing media speculation and defending the pilots’ professionalism.
Conclusion
The discovery of missing maintenance log pages covering throttle cable work on Air India Flight 171 adds a troubling layer to an already complex investigation. Whether the omission was deliberate sabotage, an attempt to conceal negligence, or an administrative error, it points to potential lapses in Air India’s maintenance chain. Combined with the CCTV footage of co-pilot Kunder’s nervous glances and the CVR’s haunting audio, the missing pages deepen the mystery of why the fuel control switches were cut off mid-flight. As the AAIB continues its probe, the aviation industry faces a critical moment to address maintenance oversight, pilot training, and technological safeguards to prevent such tragedies in the future.
