Preliminary Findings of Air India Plane Crash Reveal Critical Fuel Switch Issues
Investigation Report Highlights Key Findings
A recent preliminary investigation into the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad last month has revealed that shortly after takeoff, the aircraft's fuel control switches shifted from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' almost simultaneously, leading to the shutdown of both engines.
The incident, which occurred on June 12, resulted in the deaths of at least 260 individuals and has been described as one of the most catastrophic aviation disasters in the past decade.
According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's report, cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot questioning the other about the fuel shutdown, to which the second pilot responded that he had not initiated it.
Approximately ten seconds later, the switches reverted to the 'RUN' position, indicating an attempt by the pilots to restore engine thrust. While one engine managed to recover, the other could not halt its deceleration.
The flight lasted around 30 seconds from takeoff until the crash.
The investigation noted that the Federal Aviation Administration had issued a warning on December 17, 2018, regarding the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking mechanism. However, Air India stated that they did not perform the recommended inspections, as the advisory was not mandatory.
Maintenance records indicated no reported issues with the fuel control switch since 2023, when the throttle control module was last replaced, although this replacement was not due to the fuel control switch.
At this point, the report did not suggest any required actions for operators of Boeing 787-8 aircraft and GE GEnx-1B engines.
Amit Singh, an aviation safety expert and founder of the NGO Safety Matters, commented that until the investigation clarifies how a supposedly locked fuel switch could have shifted to CUTOFF and provides a comprehensive sequence of failure messages and aircraft responses, the complete truth remains unclear.
Air India confirmed on Saturday that they have received the preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and expressed their commitment to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time.
— Air India (@airindia) July 11, 2025
We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident…
On June 12, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was headed to London’s Gatwick airport from Ahmedabad, crashed just 33 seconds after takeoff.
There were 242 individuals on board, with one passenger surviving despite sustaining impact injuries.
Additionally, 34 people on the ground lost their lives when the aircraft struck a hostel building associated with BJ Medical College and Hospital in Ahmedabad.