Fuel cutoff switches triggered before Air India crash that killed 260, report says
Carrier vows full cooperation as investigation continues
DUBAI: A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has found that the engines of Air India flight AI171 lost fuel shortly after take-off, after the fuel control switches in the cockpit were flipped to the “cutoff” position.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner – bound for London from Ahmedabad – crashed into a building on 12 June, killing 260 people (all but one of the 242 aboard and 19 on the ground). Only one person survived: 40-year-old Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national. Air India confirmed there were 230 passengers and 12 crew on board – including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian – when the plane plummeted.
Preliminary report on Air India crash
The AAIB report says that almost immediately after take-off both engine fuel-control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF”, one second apart. That action instantly cut fuel flow and the jet “began to lose thrust and sink”. Closed-circuit footage from Ahmedabad airport showed the aircraft’s ram-air turbine deploying at about 650 feet – a backup power device that engages when both engines fail. Investigators note this happened just three seconds into the flight. One engine briefly relit after the switches were returned to “RUN”, but it was too late to prevent the crash.
Investigators have released their preliminary report on the crash of #AI171.
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 11, 2025
8:08:39: Take off
8:08:42: Fuel cut off switches moved from Run to Cutoff with a 1 sec gap
8:08:52 ENG 1 switched from Cutoff to Run
8:08:56 ENG 2 switched from Cutoff to Run
8:09:11 Recording ends. pic.twitter.com/kZrxzD3XzG
Experts say it would be nearly impossible for a pilot to do this accidentally. The switches have locking guards to prevent inadvertent cut-off. The report does not explain how or why the crew would have flipped them during the climb. Notably, there was no indication of an onboard emergency (such as a fire) that would normally warrant cutting the engines.
Cockpit voice
In the flight’s final moments, confusion reigned. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you do the cut-off?”, and the colleague replying, “I did not do so”. Seconds later an emergency call was made, but controllers only heard “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” before contact was lost. The preliminary report did not identify which speaker was the captain or first officer, nor which one broadcast the distress call. The dialogue deepens the mystery of the crash: investigators say they have no evidence of an intentional act, and the log shows no cockpit alerts before the loss of power.
All of the plane’s data was preserved, and its flight data recorder has been downloaded in India. The aircraft was compliant with all mandatory maintenance directives and had no reported mechanical faults with its fuel system. The AAIB emphasised that its findings are preliminary. Under international rules, the agency has up to a year to issue a final report. In the meantime, analysts will review every second of the flight to determine whether human error, a mechanical issue or some other factor caused the fatal fuel cutoff.
Air India statement
Air India has said it is fully cooperating with the AAIB. In a statement on social media, the carrier said it “stands in solidarity with the families and those affected” by the disaster and “continues to mourn the loss”.
Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time.
— Air India (@airindia) July 11, 2025
We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident…
The airline confirmed that it has received the AAIB’s preliminary report (dated 12 July) and is “working closely with stakeholders, including regulators” as the probe continues. It added that it will not comment on details of the investigation and will refer all enquiries to the authorities.
Boeing and engine-maker GE also offered support. A Boeing spokesman said the company “continues to support the investigation” and expressed condolences to the victims’ loved ones. US agencies – including the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration – have been assisting India’s inquiry but noted that the preliminary report did not call for any immediate safety actions on Boeing 787s or GEnx engines.
Investigators have recovered all on-board recorders, and the AAIB lead says it will continue to gather evidence from all involved parties. Under international law, a final crash report is due within a year of the accident. No recommendations or findings of cause have yet been announced.
The family of the co-pilot and others close to the crew attended memorial prayers on Saturday as India waits for a full explanation of why flight AI171 lost its fuel and stalled so soon after leaving the runway.