On Saturday, July 12, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report on the devastating Air India AI171 crash that occurred in Ahmedabad. The report uncovers chilling details about the moments leading up to the tragedy, which claimed 260 lives, including several medical students.
Shortly after the report’s release, Air India issued its first official response via the social media platform X. “Air India stands in solidarity with the families and all those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and remain fully committed to supporting everyone impacted during this difficult time,” the statement read.
The airline acknowledged receipt of the AAIB’s preliminary findings and emphasized its ongoing cooperation. “We are working closely with all stakeholders, including regulatory authorities, and will continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other investigating bodies. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment on specific details and refer all inquiries to the AAIB,” the post added.
Shocking Findings from the Probe
The 15-page preliminary report, released approximately a month after the crash, highlights a startling discovery: both engines of the Boeing 787 lost fuel supply just seconds after takeoff. According to the AAIB, the aircraft reached a peak airspeed of 180 knots at 08:08:42 UTC before the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were activated in rapid succession—Engine 1 and Engine 2 were shut off within one second of each other.
Even more disturbing, the cockpit voice recorder captured confusion between the pilots in the final moments. One pilot is heard asking the other, “Why did you cut off?” The second pilot reportedly responded that he had not.
The Central Mystery: How Was the Fuel Cut?
Investigators remain puzzled about how and why the engines’ fuel switches were moved to the ‘CUTOFF’ position so soon after takeoff. The report states that the full authority dual engine control (FADEC) system would typically handle re-ignition and thrust restoration if the switches were moved back to ‘RUN’ while in flight.
However, the reason behind the initial fuel cutoff remains unresolved. If neither pilot deliberately shut down the engines, the cause of the transition from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ remains a critical mystery still under investigation.
