The preliminary report on the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which occurred on June 12, 2025, has been released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The report reveals that the fuel supply to the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner's engines was cut off moments after takeoff, leading to the crash that killed at least 260 people, including 19 on the ground. Only one passenger, a British-Indian man seated in 11A, survived the disaster.
The AAIB's preliminary investigation indicates that three seconds after the aircraft became airborne, the fuel control switches for both engines moved from the "RUN" to the "CUTOFF" position. This action starved the engines of fuel, causing a loss of thrust. The report notes that the switches transitioned within one second of each other. Following the cutoff, the black box stopped recording data 17 seconds later. The aircraft crashed approximately 30 seconds after takeoff.
The preliminary report does not specify how the fuel control switches were moved to the cutoff position. However, the cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning the other about cutting off the fuel. The AAIB scrutinized maintenance records and found no prior defects reported for the fuel control switches since the throttle control module was last replaced in 2023. The report also excludes the possibility of a bird hit or bad weather as contributing factors to the crash. "No significant bird activity is observed in the vicinity of the flight path," the report stated.
After the fuel supply was cut off, the switches were moved back to the "RUN" position after a 10-12 second gap. While one engine began to recover, the deceleration on the second engine could not be stopped.
The crash occurred in a residential area near Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, resulting in fatalities among students and residents. The flight, bound for London Gatwick, carried 230 passengers, including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian, along with 12 crew members.
Air India has acknowledged the preliminary report and stated its cooperation with the AAIB and other authorities in the ongoing investigation. Boeing has also pledged its support to the investigation and Air India.
Victims' families have expressed shock and grief upon learning the details of the preliminary report. Some have questioned whether the tragedy could have been avoided. The AAIB's investigation is ongoing, and further analysis is expected to determine the precise cause of the fuel cutoff and the factors contributing to the crash.
