Fuel Switches Cut Off Before Air India Flight 171 Crash That Killed 260, Preliminary Report Reveals. On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating a scheduled international passenger flight from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick, United Kingdom, crashed just 30 seconds after takeoff, killing 260 people, including 241 of the 242 passengers and crew on board and 19 on the ground. The catastrophic incident, which occurred at 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC), saw the aircraft plummet into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, causing multiple explosions and widespread devastation. A preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 11, 2025, has shed light on a critical detail: both engine fuel control switches were moved from the "RUN" to "CUTOFF" position seconds after takeoff, leading to a total loss of thrust.
Overview of the CrashAir India Flight 171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 08:08:39 UTC, carrying 230 passengers—13 of whom were children, including two infants—and 12 crew members, including two pilots and ten flight attendants. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a 56-year-old veteran with 15,638 flight hours, including 8,596 on the Boeing 787, and First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, with 3,403 hours, 1,128 on the Dreamliner. Both pilots were based in Mumbai, had adequate rest, and passed pre-flight breathalyzer tests.The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, delivered to Air India on January 28, 2014. Powered by two General Electric GEnx-1B67 engines, it had a clean maintenance history, with the right engine replaced in March 2025 and the left engine last serviced in 2023, due for maintenance in December 2025. The plane had completed over 700 flights in the past year, with no prior safety concerns noted.Mere seconds after reaching a maximum airspeed of 180 knots and an altitude of 625 feet, the aircraft began losing altitude in a wings-level, nose-up attitude. At 08:09:05 UTC, the crew issued a "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" call, reporting a loss of power and thrust. The plane crashed into a densely populated area, destroying at least five buildings, including a medical hostel, and sparking fires that reached temperatures of 1,500°C (2,700°F). The sole survivor, a 40-year-old British national seated in 11A near an emergency exit, escaped through a detached section of the fuselage. The crash killed 241 on board and 19 on the ground, with 67 others injured.Preliminary Report FindingsThe AAIB’s 15-page preliminary report, released in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 30-day disclosure guideline, provides critical insights into the final moments of Flight 171. The report, praised by aviation experts for its detail, focuses on the movement of the fuel control switches as the primary cause of the dual engine failure. Below is a detailed breakdown of the findings.Fuel Control Switches Moved to CUTOFFThe report reveals that at 08:08:42 UTC, three seconds after liftoff, both engine fuel control switches transitioned from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" with a one-second gap between them. Located in the cockpit’s center console behind the throttle levers, these switches are protected by a metal bar and a locking mechanism to prevent accidental activation. Moving a switch to CUTOFF stops fuel flow to the engine, causing immediate shutdown and loss of thrust. The report notes that Engine 1 and Engine 2’s N1 and N2 speeds began to decrease as fuel supply ceased.
Cockpit voice recorder (CVR) data captures a chilling exchange: one pilot is heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other responds, “I did not do so.” The report does not specify whether Captain Sabharwal or First Officer Kunder, who was the pilot flying, made these statements. This ambiguity has deepened the mystery, raising questions about whether the switch movement was intentional, inadvertent, or due to a technical malfunction.Attempted Engine RelightAt 08:08:52 UTC, the Engine 1 fuel switch was moved back to "RUN," followed by Engine 2 at 08:08:56 UTC. The Boeing 787’s Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system initiated an automatic relight sequence. Engine 1 began to recover thrust, while Engine 2 relit but could not arrest core speed deceleration. However, at the low altitude and speed, restarting the engines was insufficient to prevent the crash, which occurred at 08:09:11 UTC, approximately 32 seconds after takeoff. The deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power source, confirmed the dual engine failure, providing limited power to essential flight systems.
No Mechanical Faults Identified
The report explicitly states that no mechanical or systemic faults were found in the Boeing 787-8 or its GE GEnx-1B engines. Maintenance records showed compliance with all airworthiness directives, and inspections of Air India’s 787 fleet, ordered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) post-crash, revealed no major safety concerns. Fuel samples from the tanks used to refuel the aircraft were deemed “satisfactory,” ruling out contamination as a cause. Limited fuel samples from the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) filter and left-wing Refuel/Jettison valve are undergoing further testing due to their small quantity.
Other Observations
No Bird Strikes: CCTV footage from Ahmedabad airport showed no significant bird activity along the flight path, dismissing early speculation of a bird strike.
Landing Gear and Flaps: Video evidence suggests the landing gear remained down, unusual for a 787, where retraction typically completes within eight seconds of takeoff. The report does not confirm flap settings but notes they are under investigation.
Wreckage and Investigation: The wreckage was moved to a secure hangar near the airport, with both engines and critical components quarantined for further examination. Drone photography and videography of the crash site have been completed.
Crew Fitness: Both pilots and crew passed pre-flight breathalyzer tests at 06:25 IST and had adequate rest, with no fatigue-related issues noted.
Investigation Focus and Unanswered Questions
The AAIB’s preliminary report, while detailed, does not draw conclusions, emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing. The focus has shifted to the fuel control switches, with investigators exploring three possibilities: human error, technical malfunction, or intentional action. Below are the key questions raised by the findings.
Human Error or Miscommunication
The CVR’s revelation of one pilot questioning the other about the cutoff suggests possible miscommunication or error in the cockpit. First Officer Kunder was the pilot flying, while Captain Sabharwal monitored, a standard procedure. The switches’ locking mechanism, designed since the 1950s to prevent accidental activation, requires a deliberate pull-and-flip action. The report’s ambiguity about which pilot spoke leaves open the possibility of an inadvertent action, such as a pilot mistakenly moving the switches during a critical phase. Aviation safety expert Amit Singh noted, “Until the investigation explains how a supposedly locked fuel switch could have moved to CUTOFF and provides a detailed sequence of failure messages and aircraft response, the full truth remains elusive.”
Technical Malfunction
A 2018 US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) highlighted that some Boeing 737 fuel control switches were installed with disengaged locking features, though this was not deemed an unsafe condition requiring mandatory action. The same switch design is used in the Boeing 787-8, including VT-ANB. As the SAIB was advisory, Air India did not perform the recommended inspections. Aviation expert Shawn Pruchnicki questioned whether a disengaged locking feature could allow a switch to “flip itself to OFF,” causing an engine shutdown. The absence of mechanical faults in the preliminary findings makes this less likely but not entirely ruled out.
Intentional Action or Sabotage
While early speculation of sabotage, including fuel contamination, was dismissed, the report’s lack of clarity on the switch movement keeps this theory alive. Posts on X speculated about sabotage, but the AAIB found no evidence to support this. The investigation is examining all possibilities, including whether external factors influenced the cockpit environment.
Maintenance and OversightAir India’s maintenance regime is under scrutiny, despite the aircraft’s clean history. The DGCA ordered additional inspections on Air India’s 33 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, focusing on fuel-parameter monitoring, cabin air compressors, electronic engine controls, and oil systems. Of the 33 aircraft, 26 have been cleared for service. The airline’s transition from a state-owned to a Tata Group-owned entity since 2022 has raised questions about whether cost-cutting or operational changes impacted safety protocols.
Response and AftermathEmergency ResponseThe crash triggered a massive response from the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department, with over 300 firefighters, 60 fire vehicles, and 20 water bowsers deployed. Twenty ambulances facilitated rescue operations, and roads to the crash site were closed via a “green corridor” to expedite medical aid. Teams from Vadodara, Gandhinagar, ONGC, GIFT City, and Civil Defence assisted. The intense heat hindered DNA identification, with all 260 fatalities confirmed by June 28, 2025, via DNA testing. Among the victims was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat (2016–2021).
Survivor’s AccountThe sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A, described how his section of the aircraft detached and landed on the ground floor of the hostel, allowing him to escape through an opening created by the emergency exit. His survival amidst such devastation has been described as miraculous.
Impact on FamiliesThe crash left families devastated, with stories like that of Shweta Parihar, who lost her husband Abhinav, highlighting the emotional toll. Her 11-year-old son’s questions about his father’s suffering underscore the human cost. Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran announced the creation of an “AI-171 Trust” to provide long-term financial and emotional support to affected families, emphasizing Air India’s commitment to their welfare.
Industry and Regulatory ResponseAir India: The airline issued a statement expressing solidarity and committing to full cooperation with the AAIB. It refrained from commenting on specific findings, citing the ongoing investigation.Boeing: Boeing deferred to the AAIB, offering support and condolences. The report’s finding of no mechanical faults has alleviated some pressure on the manufacturer, already under scrutiny for prior 737 Max incidents.DGCA: The regulator’s additional inspections and maintenance directives aim to prevent future incidents, though no advisories have been issued for Boeing 787 or GE GEnx-1B operators, suggesting confidence in the aircraft’s design.Expert Commentary: Peter Goelz, former NTSB managing director, praised the AAIB for its candid and detailed report, contrasting it with less transparent reports from other high-profile carriers. However, experts like Pruchnicki and Singh stress the need for clarity on the switch movement to avoid speculation.
Broader Implications
Safety and Design Questions
The crash, the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011, has raised questions about cockpit design and human factors. The fuel control switches’ locking mechanism, intended to prevent accidental activation, is a focal point. The 2018 FAA SAIB on similar switches in the Boeing 737 suggests a potential vulnerability, though not mandatory for correction. If a technical flaw is confirmed, it could lead to revised maintenance protocols or design changes across the 787 fleet, used by over 1,000 operators worldwide.
Impact on Air India
As Air India undergoes a transformation under Tata Group ownership, the crash is a setback to its reputation. Chairman Chandrasekaran’s call to use the incident as a catalyst for safety improvements reflects a commitment to reform, but public trust, as expressed by families like the Parihars, has been shaken. The airline’s decision to inspect its entire 787 and 777 fleets underscores a proactive approach, but the crash’s long-term impact on its market position remains uncertain.
Global Aviation SafetyThe tragedy, India’s deadliest aviation accident since the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision, has drawn international attention. The investigation, involving experts from Boeing, GE Aerospace, the US NTSB, and UK regulators, adheres to ICAO protocols. The absence of mechanical faults shifts focus to human factors, potentially influencing global training standards and cockpit procedures. The deployment of the RAT and the failure to restart engines at low altitude highlight the challenges of recovering from sudden power loss during takeoff, a critical phase of flight.
Ongoing Investigation
The AAIB, supported by an international team, continues to analyze the wreckage, CVR, and flight data recorder (FDR), which captured 49 hours of flight data and two hours of cockpit audio. Both black boxes were recovered—FDR on June 13 and CVR on June 16—with data extraction completed by June 25. The investigation is examining:
Detailed CVR transcripts to clarify pilot interactions.
Switch design and potential malfunctions, including the locking mechanism.
Crew training and human factors, particularly during high-stress takeoff phases.
Maintenance records and Air India’s operational protocols.
A final report, expected within 12 months, will provide definitive conclusions and recommendations to enhance aviation safety.
The preliminary report on Air India Flight 171’s crash is a sobering document that points to a critical failure in the cockpit: the movement of both fuel control switches to CUTOFF seconds after takeoff, starving the engines of fuel and leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust. While no mechanical faults have been identified, the mystery surrounding the switch movement—whether human error, technical glitch, or otherwise—remains unresolved.
The detailed report, lauded for its transparency, sets the stage for a thorough investigation that could reshape aviation safety protocols. For the families of the 260 victims, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, and the sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the findings offer little immediate solace but underscore the urgency of answers. As Air India, Boeing, and global regulators navigate the aftermath, the focus on pilot actions, switch design, and operational oversight will define the path to preventing such tragedies in the future.
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