Air India Crash: Fuel Cutoff Linked to Engine Failure, Investigators have revealed that fuel to the engines of the Air India Dreamliner that crashed shortly after takeoff was unexpectedly cut off, leading to the fatal incident.
According to cockpit voice recordings cited in the preliminary report, confusion between the pilots moments before the crash suggests the fuel cutoff was not deliberate.
The London-bound flight, which took off from Ahmedabad on 12 June, plunged to the ground within a minute, killing 260 people onboard. The only survivor was a British national.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continues to probe the tragedy, with a full report expected within the next year.
Flight recorder data has revealed that both fuel control switches on the Air India aircraft were moved to the cut-off position within a second after takeoff—an action typically reserved for emergencies or post-landing shutdowns.
This highly unusual event occurred moments before the crash, raising serious concerns about possible mechanical failure or human error.
The switches, critical for regulating engine power, are not meant to be disengaged during ascent, making their activation during takeoff a key focus of the ongoing investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
AAIB: Fuel Cut-Off Caused Total Engine Thrust Loss Before Air India Crash
Cockpit recordings reveal confusion between the pilots moments after the fuel to both engines was abruptly cut off.
The Gatwick-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar, though the preliminary report does not identify which pilot made each statement.
While one engine managed to regain thrust, it was not enough to recover from the rapid loss of speed, and the aircraft ultimately crashed less than a minute after takeoff.
Air India Crash: Fuel Cutoff Linked to Engine Failure, Moments before impact, one of the pilots issued a Mayday distress call, signaling a critical emergency in the cockpit.
Seconds later, the Air India Dreamliner plummeted and crashed into a building that housed doctors’ accommodation near the airport, triggering a massive explosion.
The crash not only resulted in the loss of 260 lives onboard but also caused extensive damage on the ground. The timing of the Mayday highlights how little time the crew had to respond to the sudden engine failure and loss of thrust.
AAIB: Both Pilots Were Well-Rested Before Fatal Air India Flight
Earlier theories suggesting a bird strike were dismissed in the preliminary report, which confirmed that no significant bird activity was detected along the aircraft’s flight path. This rules out wildlife interference as a contributing factor in the Air India crash.
The report also referenced a 2019 Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which warned that some Boeing 737 aircraft had fuel control switches installed with disengaged locking features—a detail now under scrutiny as investigators examine whether a similar issue may have affected the Boeing 787 involved in the tragedy.
Although the FAA bulletin identified potential concerns with fuel control switches lacking proper locking mechanisms, it did not classify the issue as an unsafe condition requiring an Airworthiness Directive.
Experts interviewed by the BBC offered mixed views on whether this oversight could have contributed to the accident, with some calling for further investigation into the switch’s role in the engine shutdown sequence.
Airline Responds to Initial Investigation Report on Dreamliner Crash
Air India confirmed it had received the preliminary crash report and stated it continues to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities. The airline declined to comment further, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Boeing also issued a statement deferring to the AAIB for official information, in line with international aviation protocols set by the UN’s ICAO, and affirmed its ongoing support for both the investigation and Air India.
Meanwhile, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board noted that the report did not include any safety recommendations for operators of Boeing 787 aircraft or GE engines.
The crash represents a significant setback for Air India, which is undergoing a major business transformation following its 2022 privatization by the Tata Group.
As part of its post-crash response, the airline has announced reductions in international operations involving its wide-body fleet, citing operational disruptions and ongoing safety reviews.
The recent crash has dealt a serious blow to Air India’s revival strategy, which centers on global expansion, modernizing its fleet, and restoring its status as a world-class airline.
The tragedy has raised concerns over safety and operational stability at a critical time in the carrier’s transformation journey under the Tata Group’s ownership.Air India’s Global Revival Efforts Derailed by Crash Tragedy, fatal Crash Undermines Air India’s Bid for World-Class Comeback.