Fuel switches cut off before deadly Air India 787 crash, says report

A preliminary investigation into the crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, has revealed that the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches were in the “cutoff” position moments before impact. The June 12, 2025, accident killed 260 people, including 229 passengers, all 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground. One passenger survived.

The initial findings were published on July 12, 2025, by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India, in accordance with ICAO Annex 13 requirements.

Fuel cutoff mid-climb

Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick (LGW), had departed Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD) at 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC). The aircraft, registered VT-ANB, was a Boeing 787-8 delivered to Air India in 2013 and powered by two General Electric GEnx-1B engines. It was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The co-pilot was designated as the pilot flying (PF), while the captain was the pilot monitoring (PM).

After a normal takeoff roll and liftoff, the aircraft reached a maximum recorded airspeed of 180 knots. Almost immediately, the fuel switches for both engines transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position, first on the left engine and then the right one a second later. The engines began to spool down.

According to the cockpit voice recorder, one of the pilots asked the other why the fuel was cut off. The other responded that he did not do so. Seconds later, at 08:09:05 UTC, a “Mayday” distress call was transmitted.

The aircraft began losing altitude before even clearing the airport perimeter. It crashed into a residential area approximately 0.9 nautical miles from the end of runway 23, striking multiple buildings in the vicinity of BJ Medical College.

Evidence of attempted restart

According to flight data recovered from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR), both fuel switches were moved back to “RUN” position within 10 seconds of the cutoff. This triggered the aircraft’s automatic restart logic. While both engines initiated a relight sequence, only the left engine showed signs of recovery. The right engine failed to regain sufficient core speed.

The aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed automatically as hydraulic and electrical power systems failed. The AAIB report noted that the thrust levers remained in the forward position (takeoff thrust) until impact, despite the levers being found physically near idle afterward due to thermal damage. The flap setting was consistent with normal takeoff (5°), and the landing gear was still down.

No technical fault found with engines or switches

Investigators found no pre-existing defects in the aircraft’s engines or fuel control switches. The aircraft had logged 41,868 flight hours and was compliant with all applicable airworthiness directives and service bulletins. Both engines had been installed in March and May 2025, just weeks before the crash.

However, the report noted that the fuel control switches installed on VT-ANB (part number 4TL837-3D) share design similarities with components highlighted in a 2018 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB NM-18-33). The bulletin warned of potential disengagement of the locking feature on fuel control switches on Boeing aircraft.

The FAA did not classify this as an unsafe condition, and thus no airworthiness directive was issued. Air India confirmed that it did not perform the suggested inspections, as the bulletin was advisory and non-mandatory. Investigators emphasized that there had been no recorded faults or complaints related to the switches on VT-ANB since at least 2023.

Highly experienced captain, rested crew

The 56-year-old captain had over 15,600 total flight hours, including more than 8,500 hours on the Boeing 787, nearly all of it as pilot-in-command. The 32-year-old co-pilot had just over 3,400 total hours, with 1,128 hours on type. Both pilots had arrived in Ahmedabad the day before and had received adequate rest.

Preflight breathalyzer tests were passed, and all flight documentation was reported in order. The aircraft’s takeoff weight of 213,401 kg was well within the maximum limit for the runway and conditions.

Massive impact and casualty toll

AAIBThe crash resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and extensive damage to five buildings. In addition to 241 fatalities on board, 19 people on the ground were killed and 67 others injured. The lone survivor, a British citizen seated in the economy cabin, reportedly pulled himself out of the wreckage and has since been released from hospital.

The forward EAFR was recovered and data successfully extracted with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, GE, and the FAA. The aft recorder was too damaged for conventional data recovery.

Investigation ongoing

The AAIB emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that no conclusions or recommendations have yet been made. While no technical fault has been identified, further analysis is underway, including forensic toxicology, witness interviews, and fuel testing. Investigators from the UK, Portugal, Canada, and the US are participating due to the multinational fatalities and the aircraft’s design origin.

At this stage, the AAIB has issued no recommendations for Boeing 787-8 or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers. The final report may take several months.The post Fuel switches cut off before deadly Air India 787 crash, says report appeared first on AeroTime.

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