Air India Plane crash 260 people killed

 

Fuel Switches Cut Off Before Air India Crash That Killed 260, Preliminary Report Finds

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, killing 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board and 19 people on the ground. A preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 11, 2025, revealed that the fuel control switches for both engines were moved to the "cutoff" position just three seconds after takeoff, causing a catastrophic loss of thrust and leading to the deadliest aviation accident in India in nearly three decades.

Key Findings of the Preliminary Report

The AAIB’s 15-page preliminary report, based on data from the flight’s black box recorders, including 49 hours of flight data and two hours of cockpit audio, indicates that the fuel cutoff switches transitioned from the "RUN" to "CUTOFF" position one second apart, starving the engines of fuel. This action, which almost immediately shuts down the engines, is typically performed only after landing or in specific emergencies like an engine fire. The report found no evidence of such an emergency, such as a fire or bird strikes, and confirmed the aircraft’s fuel was of satisfactory quality.

Cockpit voice recordings captured a moment of confusion between the pilots. One pilot was heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other responded, “I did not do so.” The report does not specify whether the captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, or the first officer, Clive Kunder, made these remarks. Approximately 10 seconds after the fuel cutoff, the switches were moved back to the "RUN" position, initiating an automatic engine relight sequence. One engine briefly regained thrust, but the plane, having reached only 650 feet in altitude, could not recover and crashed 32 seconds after takeoff into a residential area near BJ Medical College, striking a doctors’ hostel and causing a massive fireball.

Pilot Actions Under Scrutiny

The report raises significant questions about the pilots’ actions, as the fuel switches, located between the pilots’ seats and equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent accidental movement, require deliberate action to flip. Aviation experts, including John Cox and Anthony Brickhouse, emphasized that accidentally moving both switches is highly unlikely due to their design, which requires pulling and flipping each switch. Cox stated, “You can’t bump them and they move,” while Brickhouse questioned, “If they were moved because of a pilot, why?” The report does not conclude whether the switch movement was intentional, inadvertent, or due to a technical malfunction, leaving open the possibility of human error or other factors.

The captain, aged 56, had over 15,000 hours of flight experience, while the first officer, aged 32, had 3,403 hours, including 1,128 hours as a Boeing 787 co-pilot. Both pilots had adequate rest before the flight, and the aircraft was airworthy with no significant maintenance issues related to the fuel control switches.

Investigation Details and Next Steps

The AAIB, supported by Boeing, GE Aerospace, and aviation regulators from the US and UK, recovered the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from the crash site on June 13 and 16, respectively. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was properly configured for takeoff, with flaps and landing gear in standard positions. A Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power source, deployed immediately after the fuel cutoff, indicating a total loss of engine power.

The preliminary report, mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to be submitted within 30 days, does not recommend actions for Boeing or GE Aerospace, suggesting no immediate evidence of mechanical failure or design flaws. However, a full investigation, expected to take up to a year, will analyze additional evidence, including the pilots’ backgrounds and potential external factors.

Reactions and Aftermath

The sole survivor, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, escaped through an opening in the fuselage, while the crash claimed 169 Indian passengers, 53 British, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 crew members, alongside 19 ground victims. The tragedy has drawn intense scrutiny to Air India, recently acquired by the Tata Group, as it seeks to modernize its operations. Families of the victims, such as Shweta Parihar, whose husband died in the crash, expressed frustration, with Parihar stating, “We trusted the airline. What is the point of the investigation now?” A prayer service in Mumbai honored the crew, with emotional scenes reported among grieving relatives.

Air India issued a statement acknowledging the report and pledging full cooperation with the AAIB, while Boeing expressed condolences and deferred to the ongoing investigation. The crash, the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011, has sparked global interest and criticism of India’s aviation authorities for slow communication, which fueled speculation and misinformation online.

Broader Implications

Aviation experts, such as Tim Atkinson, noted that the fuel cutoff could stem from “an utterly extraordinary human error” or an intentional act, though no allegations have been made. David Learmount suggested the pilots may have mistakenly operated the fuel switches instead of retracting the undercarriage, though the switches’ distinct design and location make this unlikely. The report’s findings shift focus away from mechanical issues, as the aircraft had no reported defects since throttle module replacements in 2019 and 2023.

As the investigation continues, the AAIB aims to provide a comprehensive final report within 12 months to