A preliminary investigation India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the June 12 crash of Air India flight AI 171 reveals that both engine fuel control switches were unexpectedly moved from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position just moments after takeoff. This action halted fuel flow, causing an immediate and simultaneous loss of thrust in both engines aboard the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner YouTube+15AP +15Wikipedia+15.
Timeline & Cockpit Confusion
Garnering data from cockpit voice and flight data recorders, investigators determined the fuel switches transitioned to CUTOFF one after the other—within about one second—while the aircraft had just lifted off from Ahmedabad Slashdot Tech+2Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2. Alarms must have sounded too late: though the switches were quickly returned to RUN, there wasn’t enough altitude or time to restore full thrust. The plane crashed about 30 seconds into the flight, killing all but one of the 242 onboard and 19 individuals on the ground AP +6The Washington Post+6The Economic Times+6.
Cockpit recordings capture one pilot bewilderedly asking the other, “Why did you cut off?”—to which the second responded, “I didn’t”—highlighting the aircrew’s confusion The Economic Times+15Wikipedia+15The Independent+15.
Safety Mechanisms & Regulatory Context
Despite the presence of a mechanical locking mechanism designed to prevent accidental movement of the fuel switches, experts stress that toggling them in flight—especially both—remains highly improbable The Economic Times+9The Independent+9Slashdot Tech+9. The AAIB report notes an earlier FAA bulletin (2018) addressing switch-lock vulnerabilities on Boeing aircraft, though Air India did not act upon its recommendations for inspecting and updating these components The Times of India+8Wikipedia+8Slashdot Tech+8.
Ongoing Investigations & Stakeholder Response
Although the AAIB stopped short of naming a cause—mechanical failure, design flaw, pilot error, or sabotage—they confirmed neither Boeing nor engine manufacturer GE has been asked to implement immediate changes The Times+2AP +2Reuters+2. The NTSB and other international experts are supporting India’s ongoing probe Wikipedia+5Reuters+5The Washington Post+5. Families of victims, pilot associations, and public safety experts have called for a transparent, impartial final investigation, criticizing the preliminary report’s lack of detail Reuters+7The Sun+7The Times+7.
What’s Next?
With the full AAIB final report still months away, several crucial questions remain:
- What triggered the fuel switches to move just after takeoff?
- Were the switch locks functioning properly?
- Should Boeing or Air India update switch designs and cockpit procedures?
⚠️ Summary
| Event | Description |
|---|---|
| When | June 12, 2025 |
| Where | Ahmedabad → London Gatwick |
| Aircraft | Boeing 787‑8, VT‑ANB |
| Incident | Both engines lost fuel supply moments after takeoff |
| Casualties | 241 onboard, 19 on ground; 1 surviver onboard, plus 67 injured |
| Investigation | AAIB preliminary report; final expected in months |
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