A preliminary report into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12 has been released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), immediately becoming a trending topic on Google and sparking intense debate within the aviation community. The report suggests that the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner’s engine fuel control switches were moved to the “cutoff” position just seconds after takeoff, leading to a catastrophic loss of power.
Read More: Embraer Passenger Plane Crashes Near Aktau, Kazakhstan; 32 Survivors Reported
The incident, which claimed the lives of 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground, unfolded within a mere 32 seconds of the aircraft becoming airborne. Only one passenger survived the devastating crash.
According to the AAIB’s 15-page preliminary findings, flight data recorders show that “the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of one second” shortly after the aircraft reached its maximum recorded airspeed of 180 knots. This action immediately starved both engines of fuel, causing a rapid loss of thrust.
The cockpit voice recording captured a chilling exchange, with one pilot asking the other, “Why did you shut off the fuel?” to which the other pilot reportedly responded that he “did not do so.” This revelation has become a central point of contention, raising questions about potential mechanical malfunctions, inadvertent human input, or other system failures. Aviation safety experts emphasize that these switches are designed with robust locking mechanisms to prevent accidental movement.
Despite attempts by the crew to relight the engines – with the flight data showing both switches were returned to “RUN” positions approximately 14 seconds later – only Engine 1 briefly regained power. However, the aircraft’s low altitude prevented a full restoration of thrust, and it entered an irreversible descent, crashing into a medical hostel complex near the airport. The deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power source, was also noted, indicating a total loss of electrical power to critical systems.
The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) has strongly criticized the preliminary report, alleging a “bias toward pilot error” and demanding a “fair, fact-based inquiry.” ALPA India president Sam Thomas stated, “We categorically reject this presumption and insist on a fair, fact-based inquiry,” also pointing to a “lack of transparency” and the exclusion of experienced line pilots from the investigation team. The India Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) further condemned “reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide,” calling such speculation “irresponsible” and “deeply insensitive.”
The AAIB report also noted that a non-mandatory 2018 FAA safety bulletin had warned about possible issues with the locking mechanism of fuel control switches on similar Boeing aircraft, but Air India had not carried out the recommended checks.
While the investigation is ongoing, and a comprehensive final report is expected by June 12, 2026, the preliminary findings have ignited critical discussions within the aviation industry regarding cockpit procedures, aircraft safety checks, and the complex interplay of human and technical factors in flight operations.
