A preliminary investigation into the tragic Air India Boeing 787 crash that claimed 270 lives has identified a malfunctioning locking mechanism in the captain’s pilot seat as the primary cause.
According to the report released Wednesday, the pilot’s seat unexpectedly slid backwards during takeoff without the captain’s knowledge.
This sudden movement caused the pilot to unintentionally pull the throttle levers to idle, resulting in an immediate loss of engine thrust just seconds after liftoff.
The loss of thrust caused the aircraft to stall and crash into a nearby building housing medical workers, killing passengers, crew, and residents. Remarkably, a British national is reported to be the sole survivor.
Investigators revealed that the co-pilot’s efforts to regain control were hindered because he could not access critical controls due to the captain’s reclined position following the seat slide.
Additionally, cockpit data showed no presence of key safety features such as reverse-motion protection and weight-based lockouts on the throttle system—mechanisms designed to prevent unintended throttle movements.
Following these findings, aviation authorities including the FAA and EASA have ordered urgent inspections of all Boeing 787 pilot seats worldwide.
Air India has grounded 12 aircraft with similar maintenance histories pending further checks. Boeing has committed to redesigning pilot seats with enhanced safety features by 2026.
The final investigation report is expected in July. Authorities have pledged stricter regulations and global reforms aimed at preventing such tragedies in the future.
