Ahmedabad — The first official report into the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI171 has revealed a critical and alarming failure: both engine fuel control switches were switched from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” shortly after takeoff, causing complete engine power loss and the tragic death of 260 people on June 12, 2025.
According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary findings released on July 11, 2025, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departed Ahmedabad International Airport at 14:30 local time, but within three seconds both fuel switches controlling the aircraft’s twin engines were moved to “CUTOFF” — a command that immediately stopped fuel supply to the engines.
This abrupt fuel cutoff led to an instant loss of thrust. Cockpit voice recordings reveal confusion among the pilots, with one questioning the other about the fuel cutoff switch movement while the other denied any intentional action, BBC reported. Despite their extensive flying experience, including a captain with over 15,000 flight hours, the crew struggled to regain control.
Efforts to restart the engines by moving the fuel switches back to “RUN” were only partially successful. One engine briefly reignited but failed to generate sufficient thrust to sustain flight. The plane crashed into a densely populated residential area near the airport, killing 19 people on the ground in addition to 241 passengers and crew on board, according to Al Jazeera.
The AAIB report stresses that no mechanical fault was found with the fuel control system or engines. Instead, the investigation is concentrating on why the switches were moved to “CUTOFF.” Aviation experts highlight that the fuel cutoff switches require deliberate force to operate, making accidental activation extremely unlikely.
This deadly accident marks the first fatal incident involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner series, placing intense scrutiny on pilot procedures, cockpit design, and emergency protocols. The AAIB cautioned that no immediate safety recommendations will be made pending the full investigation, which is expected to take several more months.
According to Sky News, that International aviation bodies, including the US National Transportation Safety Board, have pledged cooperation in the ongoing probe. The global aviation community watches closely, given the implications for flight safety standards worldwide.
Families of the victims await the final AAIB report, hoping for clarity and accountability as questions mount about cockpit operations and safety oversight.
