Fuel Cutoff Mystery In Air India Crash: AAIB Report Raises New Questions
A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the devastating Air India flight AI171 crash has revealed a chilling sequence of events that led to the loss of 260 lives.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, with investigators now zeroing in on the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches, small but vital components at the heart of the unfolding probe.
According to the report, the aircraft lifted off at 13:38 IST (08:08 UTC) and reached a peak speed of 180 knots just seconds later. Shockingly, at that moment, the fuel control switches for both engines moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ within the span of one second, cutting off the fuel supply and rapidly causing engine failure.
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The cockpit voice recorder captured the confusion inside: one pilot asked, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” and the other replied, “I didn’t.” Although the switches were quickly returned to the ‘RUN’ position, it was already too late. The engines had lost thrust, and the aircraft was descending.
The aircraft ultimately crashed into a nearby medical hostel complex, barely clearing the airport’s perimeter wall. All 241 passengers and 19 crew members on board perished.
What Do Fuel Control Switches Do?
In aircraft like the Boeing 787, fuel control switches are used to start and shut down engines and manage emergencies. Located just below the thrust levers, these switches are designed to lock securely in place and require a deliberate pull-and-move action to change positions, making accidental activation highly unlikely.
Aviation experts describe the mid-climb cutoff as “unthinkable.” Former US pilot and safety analyst John Nance told the media that no trained pilot would ever deactivate fuel switches during takeoff.
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The AAIB report states that no immediate defect has been found with either Boeing or GE, the engine manufacturer. However, a closer look at the plane’s systems and components is ongoing. Notably, no new safety advisories have been issued for other Boeing 787 8 aircraft.
The report also references a 2018 FAA bulletin that warned of potential disengagement of the locking feature in similar switches on Boeing aircraft.
While that advisory (SAIB) wasn’t deemed critical enough to mandate inspections, it suggested that some switches might not remain locked as intended. Air India reportedly did not act on this advisory, as it was not mandatory.
Maintenance logs for the aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, show throttle control module replacements in 2019 and 2023, but no recorded defects relating to the fuel switches since then.
At 08:09 UTC, less than a minute after liftoff, the pilot issued a desperate “Mayday” call, which was received by air traffic control. Within seconds, the aircraft crashed, and emergency crews were dispatched. The fire rescue team reached the crash site at 08:14 UTC.
Though engine relight attempts were recorded in the moments after the switches were reset to RUN, the aircraft could not recover. One engine showed signs of regaining power, but the other could not stabilise, ultimately sealing the jet’s fate.
The AAIB has emphasised that this is a preliminary report, and a full investigation may take up to a year. For now, the focus remains on understanding why the fuel switches moved and whether mechanical, electrical, or human factors played a role.
Air India has reaffirmed its cooperation with the ongoing investigation but declined further comment. Boeing and GE have also stated they are supporting the probe under international aviation protocols.
