NEW DELHI, July 12: A month after the tragic crash of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary findings, revealing a shocking mid-air development—both engine fuel cut-off switches were turned off just seconds after take-off.
According to the AAIB’s 15-page preliminary report, the aircraft lifted off from Ahmedabad at 1:38:39 PM IST on June 12. Less than 30 seconds later, one of the pilots transmitted a “Mayday” distress call, and the plane crashed shortly after, killing 241 passengers and crew onboard and 19 people on the ground. The report marks the crash as the deadliest aviation accident in India in decades and the first hull loss involving a Boeing 787 aircraft.
Investigators found that the fuel control switches for both engines transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF positions one after another, with just a one-second gap. This action led to a rapid decline in engine performance. The Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) data showed that both engine speeds (N1 and N2) began to fall immediately as the fuel supply was cut.
What raised further questions was the cockpit voice recording. One pilot was heard asking in disbelief, “Why did you cut off?”—to which the other responded, “I did not.” The AAIB has not concluded whether this switch transition was due to technical failure, accidental activation, or human error.
While fuel samples from bowsers and tanks used for refuelling the aircraft tested normal at DGCA’s laboratory, only a small amount of fuel residue could be recovered from the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit and left wing valve—samples of which are now being tested at a specialised facility.
AAIB confirmed that wreckage recovery, drone mapping, and onsite documentation have been completed, and both engines have been secured at a hangar for detailed analysis. Investigators are also examining components of interest and conducting cross-analysis of post-mortem findings with aeromedical and engineering data.
Witness accounts and a statement from the lone survivor have also been recorded, while additional evidence and technical data from stakeholders continue to be gathered.
The preliminary report does not recommend any immediate safety actions for other Boeing 787-8 operators but emphasises that the investigation is ongoing and further analysis will determine the cause of the crash.
Flight AI 171, which was bound for London Gatwick, tragically crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off, devastating not only the passengers’ families but also residents on the ground.
