A preliminary investigation into the deadly crash of an Air India flight in June has revealed that both engines’ fuel switches were moved to the “cutoff” position moments before the aircraft plunged to the ground, killing 260 people.
The report, released early Saturday by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), stopped short of assigning blame but pointed to a critical moment in the cockpit where one pilot questioned the other about the shutdown of the engines.
According to the 15-page document, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was en route from Ahmedabad to London on June 12 when it crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft reached its peak speed before both engines’ fuel switches transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within one second of each other. This action, which effectively cut off fuel to the engines, caused a rapid loss of altitude.
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why he cut off [fuel],” the report stated. “The other pilot responded that he did not do so.”
Although the fuel switches were moved back to “RUN” and the engines appeared to regain power, the situation deteriorated rapidly. One of the pilots issued a desperate “MAYDAY” call, but air traffic controllers lost contact soon after and observed the aircraft crash. Emergency responders were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger—a British national—survived. The crash also claimed the lives of 19 people on the ground and left dozens injured. The lone survivor has since been discharged from hospital.
Investigators Focus on Fuel Switches
The AAIB report comes as sources told aviation site The Air Current that the investigation has narrowed its focus to the movement of the engine fuel switches. However, experts stress that it could take months or even longer to reach definitive conclusions.
The report noted that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had in 2018 issued an information bulletin warning about the potential disengagement of the fuel switch locking mechanism. While this was not deemed an “unsafe condition” requiring mandatory inspection, Air India acknowledged it had not followed the recommended checks, describing them as “advisory.”
Still, the report stated that Air India complied with all mandatory airworthiness directives and service bulletins, and no technical faults were found in the engines or aircraft.
Investigation Ongoing
The AAIB emphasized that its probe remains active and that more evidence has been requested from various stakeholders, including Boeing and General Electric, the engine manufacturer.
Boeing, in a statement, said it is continuing to support the investigation and expressed condolences to those affected. Air India also affirmed its full cooperation with the AAIB and regulatory bodies.
US and UK air safety investigators are assisting with the probe. The United Nations’ aviation body, ICAO, requires preliminary accident reports to be filed within 30 days of a crash.
Initial reports had placed the death toll at 279, but forensic examination of remains later reduced the number to 260 confirmed fatalities. Among the victims were 169 Indians, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, along with 12 crew members.
