Air India Boeing 787 Crash Report Indicates Fuel Switches Were Cut Off

Preliminary Report on Air India Boeing 787 Crash

A preliminary report from India's Air Accident Investigation Bureau states that a pair of switches controlling the fuel supply to the engines were set to "cutoff" shortly before the crash of Air India Flight 171.

A total of 260 people died when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed soon after departing from Ahmedabad last month.

Indian investigators determined that the aircraft was properly configured and lifted off as expected. Three seconds after takeoff, the engines' fuel switches were set to cutoff. The reason for this action is not specified.

According to the report, flight recorder data indicates that the two fuel control switches were moved from the "run" position to "cutoff" soon after takeoff. The cockpit voice recording captures one pilot asking the other, "why did he cutoff," while the other pilot responds that he did not do so.

Moments later, the report notes, the fuel switches were returned to the "run" position. By that time, the aircraft had started to lose thrust and altitude. Investigators report that both engines appeared to relight, but only one engine began generating thrust.

The report does not provide further conclusions regarding the reason the switches were moved, but indicates that the investigation is focusing on the actions of the pilots. No evidence of mechanical failures or a bird strike affecting both engines simultaneously is presented in the report.

Additional Details

Investigators state that the first officer was operating the aircraft at the time of the crash. The report indicates that the takeoff was routine until the fuel control switches were set to cutoff.

There were 242 passengers and crew on board the London-bound flight when it crashed into a medical college and caught fire. One passenger, seated in 11A, survived. Nineteen people on the ground also died.

This incident represents the first hull loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011.