A preliminary report regarding the Air India Flight AI171 crash on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India, has revealed that the aircraft's engine fuel supply was cut off moments after takeoff, leading to confusion between the pilots. The incident resulted in the loss of 260 lives when the London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential area shortly after departure.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a 15-page preliminary report that indicates the fuel control switches for both engines were abruptly moved from the "run" to the "cutoff" position within one second of each other. This action starved the engines of fuel, causing a significant loss of thrust. The report also highlighted a concerning exchange between the pilots captured on the cockpit voice recorder (CVR). One pilot is heard questioning the other about why he cut off the fuel, to which the other responded that he did not.
The preliminary findings have ignited intense speculation regarding the cause of the switch movement. Aviation experts find it unlikely that the fuel switches were accidentally moved due to safety guards. According to the preliminary report, there had been no reported defects related to the fuel control switches since 2023. Simultaneously, the deployment of the ram air turbine (RAT), an emergency power source, immediately after liftoff suggests a complete loss of power to essential systems.
Despite the pilots' attempt to relight the engines, only one engine was successful, while the other failed to recover. The pilots transmitted a "MAYDAY" call, but the aircraft crashed into a medical school dormitory shortly after, approximately 32 seconds after takeoff. Examination of the crash site revealed the fuel switches were back in the "run" position, suggesting a possible attempt to regain control.
The investigation is ongoing, and the AAIB has not yet issued any safety recommendations. Investigators are exploring several possibilities, including mechanical failure, human error, or even sabotage. The final report, expected within a year, will include further forensic analysis, fuel sample testing, and post-mortem reports.
Air India has expressed solidarity with the families affected by the crash and is cooperating fully with the investigation. Boeing has also stated its readiness to support the investigation. The crash has raised serious questions about aviation safety and the critical need to understand the circumstances surrounding the sudden fuel cutoff.
