Air India's flight AI171 likely suffered a power failure after taking off, which caused the fatal crash on June 12, as per a report by The Wall Street Journal based on remarks of officials familiar with the ongoing investigation into the tragedy that claimed 270 lives.

The exact reason for the crash will be ascertained after the black box is decoded, but the initial investigations based on the visual assessment, like wreckage pattern, takeoff video, and ATC report, hint towards a power failure as the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was activated soon after the takeoff. The RAT was activate even before the plane reached the minimum altitude required to do so.

RAT is a system designed to provide power for critical functions when an aircraft faces an abrupt and total loss. The activation of RAT points to either an aircraft suffering engine power loss or complete electrical failure. Currently, the investigation is proceeding to decode the black box, which the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has acquired.

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The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday said that the AAIB will decide on where the black boxes of the doomed flight will be sent to be decoded after assessing all technical, safety, and security considerations.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said that the key recovery work, like the site documentation and evidence collection, has been completed.

In a statement, the ministry said, "It has been reported in certain media outlets that the CVR/DFDR (black box) from the ill-fated AI171 flight is being sent abroad for retrieval and analysis… the decision regarding the location for decoding the flight recorders will be taken by the AAIB after due assessment of all technical, safety, and security considerations."

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The report also suggested that the investigation into the crash may go on for a long period of time up to a year or more as there are variety of factors that are needed to be taken into consideration like possible maintenance errors, crew missteps or design flaws.