A preliminary investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI171 reveals that both engines lost fuel supply seconds after takeoff, and pilots voiced confusion on the cockpit voice recorder about who flipped the fuel switches.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12 bound for London and lost power while climbing. It crashed into a residential area near BJ Medical College, killing 260 people including 19 on the ground.
Mystery fuel cutoff in critical phase
Flight recorder data shows both engine fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within one second at around 180 knots airspeed. That triggered a complete halt to fuel flow during a critical climb phase.
The cockpit voice recorder captured a pilot asking why the other turned off the fuel supply. The other replied that it wasn’t him. Investigators have neither attributed the voices nor established if a technical error caused the shutdown.
Both engines briefly reignited after the crew reactivated the switches but the effort came too late to avert disaster.
Safety expert calls shutdown sequence inexplicable
Aviation investigator Geoffrey Dell noted the design of the switches on the 787 requires a deliberate two‑step action involving lifting and pushing the control. He called the double shutdown “bizarre” and argued there is no scenario where such action would occur right after liftoff, remarking it is usually performed when aircraft are parked post‑flight.
He said the near‑simultaneous shutdown of both engines during ascent adds a troubling layer to the case.
Mechanical fault or human error under scrutiny
The 2018 FAA bulletin warned of potential disengagement of the fuel switch locking feature in certain aircraft models. Since the risk was not classified as immediately dangerous, Air India reportedly did not order inspections related to that bulletin.
Former pilot Ehsan Khalid cautioned against blaming the crew prematurely. He said the AAIB report concludes power loss caused the crash but hasn’t confirmed whether pilots caused it. He emphasized pilots recognized the failure and did not initiate it.
Investigators say the full cockpit voice transcripts and flight data are essential to determine whether human error or malfunction triggered the cutoff. They have not released the full transcript yet.
Families and officials demand clarity
Recovery efforts revealed a devastated community, with rescue workers handling injured survivors and identifying victims by DNA. Among the deceased were nationalities from India, Britain, Portugal and Canada.
The sole survivor, a teenager at the rear of the plane, is in critical care.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site the day after. Authorities continue to collect evidence while urging restraint in public speculation.
Air India has accepted the AAIB report and pledged total cooperation. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu called for a wait until the final report is released due in several months.
As more investigators, engineers and experts analyze incomplete data, a chilling question remains: who or what shut off the fuel just after takeoff—deliberately or accidentally—and can the final report provide the answers flight victims’ families desperately need?
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.