Preliminary Report Suggests Manual Fuel Cutoff Caused Air India 171 Crash

Investigators have released initial findings into the Air India flight 171 disaster, which claimed 260 lives when a Boeing 787 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reported that both engines lost power almost simultaneously due to the manual cutoff of the fuel supply, a sequence that left the aircraft unable to recover before impact.

The crash resulted in the deaths of nearly all 242 people on board, with only one survivor, and caused further casualties and injuries on the ground. Video footage showed the aircraft taking off normally before descending rapidly and crashing into a residential area near a medical college.

The AAIB's preliminary report determined that the fuel control switches for both engines were moved from “run” to “cutoff” just after takeoff, a process that requires deliberate action due to built-in safety mechanisms. Inspections found no mechanical faults with the switches or their locking mechanisms, and no history of related issues on this or other Air India 787s. The report noted that the switches were turned off in quick succession, and then returned to their original position about nine seconds later, but the engines could not restart in time to prevent the crash.

A cockpit exchange included in the report indicated that one pilot asked the other why the fuel had been cut off, with the second pilot denying responsibility. The AAIB has not released full cockpit recordings or a direct transcript of the exchange, leading to criticism from some pilot associations and commentators who caution against premature conclusions.

The investigation has reportedly focused on the captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, who had over 15,000 flight hours, and first officer Clive Kunder, who had 3,400 hours. Media reports have discussed Sabharwal’s personal history, but Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, stated that his recent medical history was unremarkable and denied claims of recent mental health leave.

The crash comes at a sensitive time for both Air India, which is undergoing major restructuring, and Boeing, which continues to face scrutiny over aircraft safety. Multiple pilot organizations have criticized the preliminary report and urged against assigning blame before the investigation is complete. The AAIB has stated that the inquiry is ongoing and has not issued new safety recommendations at this stage.