The initial investigation report about the Air India Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 is out. Turns out, both engines failed just seconds after takeoff.
The report also revealed that fuel cutoff switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF one after another. The Cockpit audio confirmed that one pilot asked “why did you cut off”, to which the other replied “I didn’t”.
Ahmedabad plane crash Preliminary Report also revealed that RAT (Ram Air Turbine) was deployed, indicating total power loss, which was also captured on CCTV.
Here are the LIVE updates:
On Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s Preliminary Report on 12th June AI 171 crash, Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) President Captain Sam Thomas says, “Firstly, we are surprised that the statement was released in the middle of the night at around 1:30 am. It carries nobody’s signature.”
Delhi: As Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) releases its preliminary report on the Air India plane crash, Founder & CEO of Martin Consulting, Aviation Safety and Consulting Firm, Mark D Martin says, “It is the initial report, and it is quite cryptic in many ways. It says a lot of points that don’t add up.”
While speaking to ANI, Yashpal Singh Vansdiya, who lost both his parents in the AI-171 flight crash said, “I have certain questions to ask from the government and the investigation agencies. Based on the report, which mentions one pilot asking the other if he has turned off the switch, it means there were some technical issues. Were all preventive checks of the aircraft done? I hope I get answers to all these questions. “
“I don’t think we should jump into any conclusions over this. I believe we have the most wonderful workforce of pilots and crew in the whole world. I have to appreciate all the efforts the pilots and crew of the country are putting, they are the backbone of civil aviation”, says Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.
Fuel switches control the flow of fuel to an aircraft’s engines. Pilots use them to start or shut down engines on the ground, or to manually restart or shut down an engine in case of failure during flight.
According to aviation experts, it’s unlikely that a pilot could accidentally move these switches, as they are designed to prevent inadvertent operation. However, if they are moved, the impact is immediate-cutting off power to the engine.
What Are Fuel Switches At The Heart Of The Air India Crash Probe? Explained
Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg expressed his condolences following the Air India Flight 171 tragedy, saying, “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew, as well as everyone impacted in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support. A dedicated Boeing team is prepared to assist the investigation being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.”
In an official statement, Air India said, “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.”
They added, “We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) today, 12 July 2025.”
Air India on X further stated, “Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses. Given the active nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment on specific details and refer all such enquiries to the AAIB.”
Fuel taken from the airport’s bowsers and tanks used to refuel the plane was tested by the aviation regulator’s lab and found satisfactory, the preliminary report said.
Only very small amounts of fuel could be retrieved from parts of the crashed aircraft itself. These will be tested separately at a specialist lab, investigators said.
As per the EAFR, the Engine 1 fuel cutoff switch transitioned from CUTOFF to RUN at about 08:08:52 UTC. The APU Inlet Door began opening at about 08:08:54 UTC, consistent with the APU Auto Start logic. Thereafter, at 08:08:56 UT,C the Engine 2 fuel cutoff switch also
transitions from CUTOFF to RUN. When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN while the aircraft is in flight, each engines full authority dual engine control (FADEC) automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction.
The EGT was observed to be rising for both engines indicating relight. Engine 1’s core deceleration stopped, reversed and started to progress to recovery. Engine 2 was able to relight but could not arrest core speed deceleration and re-introduced fuel to increase core speed acceleration and recovery. The EAFR recording stopped at 08:09:11 UTC. At about 08:09:05 UTC, one of the pilots transmitted “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY”. The ATCO enquired about the call sign. ATCO did not get any response but observed the aircraft crashing outside the airport boundary, and activated the emergency response.
At 08:14:44 UTC, Crash Fire Tender left the airport premises for Rescue and firefighting. They were joined by Fire and Rescue services of the Local Administration.
➢ Both Engines were retrieved from the wreckage site and quarantined at a hangar in
the airport.
➢ Components of interest for further examinations have been identified and quarantined.
➢ Fuel samples taken from the bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft were tested
at the DGCA’s Lab and found satisfactory.
➢ Very limited amount of fuel samples could be retrieved from the APU filter and
Refuel/Jettison valve of left wing. The testing of these samples will be done at a suitable facility
capable of carrying out the test with the limited available quantity.
➢ The EAFR data downloaded from forward EAFR is being analyzed in detail.
➢ The statement of the witnesses and the surviving passenger have been obtained by
the Investigators.
➢ Complete analysis of postmortem reports of the crew and the passengers is being
undertaken to corroborate aeromedical findings with the engineering appreciation.
➢ Additional details are being gathered based on the initial leads.
➢ At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE
GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers.
➢ Investigation is continuing and the investigation team will review and examine
additional evidence, records and information that is being sought from the stakeholders.
In the cockpit voice recording, one pilot asked the other why the engines had been cut. The other replied that he hadn’t done it. The crew made a “mayday” call shortly before the plane crashed beyond the airport perimeter.
After the engines shut down, the pilots tried to restart them. One engine began to recover, but the other couldn’t regain enough power. The aircraft lost height quickly and crashed.
Here’s the lowdown: The early findings on that Air India crash back in June are pretty grim. Right after takeoff from Ahmedabad, both engines lost power within seconds.
Investigators say the plane got up to about 180 knots, so everything seemed fine at first. Then, out of nowhere, both engine fuel switches flipped from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’ almost at the same time. That killed the fuel supply and shut the engines down, just like that.
Right after takeoff, just three seconds in, both fuel cutoff switches on the Air India flight flipped to “cutoff.” No warning, nothing. Engines lost fuel, and the Dreamliner started dropping almost immediately.
Inside the cockpit, one pilot asked the other— “Why’d you cut the fuel?” The reply? He said he didn’t touch anything. That exchange is right there on the voice recorder.
