Cockpit fuel cutoff cited in Air India crash report findings
AHMEDABAD, India (July 12, 2025) – A preliminary investigation into the deadly crash of Air India Flight AI171 has found that both engines lost thrust after cockpit fuel switches were flipped moments after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of at least 270 people.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India released its initial 15-page report on Friday, confirming that the engine cutoff switches were activated in quick succession, within one secon,d causing a complete loss of power just three seconds into the flight.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential neighborhood in Ahmedabad on June 12, 32 seconds after takeoff en route to London’s Gatwick Airport. Unitedpac St Lucia News previously reported on the initial details surrounding the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad.
Cockpit voice recordings recovered from the black boxes captured one pilot asking the other why the engines had been shut off. The second pilot denied initiating the switch, according to the AAIB report.
No mechanical faults were found in the aircraft or its GE GEnx-1B engines. Investigators noted that neither engine had reported fuel control switch issues since 2023. The left engine had been installed on March 26, while the right was installed on May 1.
The left engine showed signs of recovering thrust before impact, but the right engine failed to respond, prompting the crew to issue a MAYDAY distress call.
“At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to Boeing 787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers,” the AAIB stated, ruling out mechanical failure as a contributing factor.
Aviation analyst Robert Sumwalt, former chair of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, told CBS News that the incident appears linked to cockpit activity rather than equipment failure.
“This wasn’t a problem with the airplane or the engines,” Sumwalt said Friday evening. “The report indicates somebody in the cockpit shut the fuel off to those engines. The big question now is whether that was intentional or inadvertent.”
Sumwalt explained that the cutoff switch is typically flipped upward during engine start to introduce fuel, and flipped down at the end of a flight to shut it off. Activating it during takeoff would be a critical error unless deliberate.
The Air Current, an aviation-focused news outlet, reported earlier this week that investigators were narrowing their focus to the aircraft’s fuel control systems and pilot actions during the first moments of flight.
Air India issued a statement acknowledging the findings and reaffirmed its cooperation with investigators.
“Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident,” the airline said in a post on Friday. “We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time. We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the AAIB today, 12 July 2025, and are cooperating fully with authorities.”
Aircraft manufacturer Boeing also expressed condolences and confirmed its involvement in the ongoing inquiry.
“Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected on the ground in Ahmedabad,” the company said in a statement shared with CBS News. “We continue to support the investigation and our customer.”
Flight AI171 was carrying a mix of international passengers on a transcontinental route when it lost power moments after departure, igniting a fireball and widespread destruction in the densely populated crash zone.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not concluded whether the fuel shutoff was the result of human error, intentional action, or a rare systems miscommunication. No criminal findings or final safety recommendations have yet been issued.
The AAIB is expected to release a comprehensive final report in the coming months that could shed more light on the pilots’ actions and any possible lapses in cockpit protocols.
For further updates on this investigation and other major aviation developments, stay with Unitedpac St Lucia News.
