Air India Crash Preliminary Report: A month after the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that claimed the lives of at least 270 people, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is leading the inquiry, published the 15-page preliminary report early Saturday, revealing that the engines’ fuel switches on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were shifted from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ within seconds of each other shortly after take-off.
The crash, which occurred on June 12, 2025, is the deadliest aviation accident in India in decades.
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.
We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident…
— Air India (@airindia) July 11, 2025
Air India Crash Preliminary Report: Cockpit Confusion Captured in Voice Recordings
According to the cockpit voice recorder, one of the pilots was heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” The other pilot replied that he had not done so. This exchange points to confusion in the cockpit as the fuel supply to the aircraft was cut off when the switches moved to the ‘CUTOFF’ position.
Investigators believe this could be a key piece of the puzzle as to why the London-bound flight crashed.
Moments after the fuel switches were cut off, both were switched back to ‘RUN,’ data from the plane’s Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFR) showed – an indication that the pilots attempted to recover from the situation. Aviation experts note that the Boeing 787 and other commercial aircraft are capable of completing a takeoff safely even if one engine fails, and pilots are trained to handle such emergencies.
Who Were The Pilots That Flew The Air India Flight That Crashed?
The AAIB’s preliminary report, along with media accounts, provides detailed profiles of the two pilots who were in command of the ill-fated flight.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, held a valid airline transport pilot’s license until May 14, 2026. He was authorized to operate several aircraft as pilot-in-command, including the Boeing 787, Boeing 777, and Airbus A310.
With a total flying experience of 15,638 hours, of which 8,596 hours were on the Boeing 787, Captain Sabharwal was among Air India’s most experienced pilots. Before take-off, he called his family from the airport, telling them he would call again after landing in London, according to a Times of India report.
First Officer Clive Kunder
First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, held a commercial pilot license issued in 2020 and valid until September 26, 2025. He had certifications to fly Cessna 172 and Piper PA-34 Seneca aircraft as pilot-in-command, as well as serve as co-pilot on Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 jets.
Kunder had accumulated a total of 3,403 hours of flying experience, including 1,128 hours as a Boeing 787 co-pilot.
Relatives shared with Indian media that Kunder had dreamed of becoming a pilot since his school days. He began his aviation career in 2012 and joined Air India in 2017.
Also Read: Ahmedabad Plane Crash Probe Report LIVE Updates: Investigation Reveals Fuel Cutoff To Both Engines
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
