Preliminary Report on Air India Crash Reveals Critical Details

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, leading to the deaths of 241 individuals, including 19 on the ground. A preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 12 has shed light on the circumstances surrounding this catastrophic event, raising significant questions about the actions taken by the flight crew during the critical moments leading up to the accident.

The aircraft took off at approximately 5:00 AM local time and was en route to London when, just 32 seconds into the flight, the plane lost thrust and altitude, ultimately crashing into a densely populated area. Among the 242 passengers and crew on board, only one individual survived the crash, a stark reminder of the tragedy’s scale.

According to the AAIB report, a pivotal detail has emerged: the fuel control switches were turned off just three seconds after takeoff, abruptly halting fuel supply to the engines. This action resulted in an immediate loss of thrust, culminating in the aircraft’s descent. Steve Cornell, a veteran pilot and safety director at the Australian International Pilots Association, emphasized the severity of this finding, noting, “The switches cannot simply be bumped; they are designed to prevent inadvertent movement.” This assertion is corroborated by Keith Tonkin, an aviation expert, who stated that the switches require intentional action to be altered.

In the cockpit’s final moments, the voice recorder captured a frantic exchange between the pilots, with one calling out “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.” The report clarifies that a full two hours of audio data were retrieved from the black boxes, yet it did not specify which pilot made the call or the complete context of their discussions prior to the crash. According to Captain Cornell, it is unlikely that the flight crew remained silent during the emergency situation, suggesting that more information may yet emerge from the ongoing investigation.

The crew consisted of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had amassed over 15,600 flight hours, and co-pilot Clive Kunder, with 3,400 hours of experience. Both pilots were reported to have had adequate rest before the flight and were found fit for duty post-incident. Furthermore, the aircraft was not overloaded, being nearly 5,000 kilograms under the maximum takeoff weight, and there were no hazardous materials aboard.

In addressing the issue of how the fuel switches were flipped, the preliminary report raises further questions. Cornell noted that typically, these switches are only turned off in specific scenarios, such as after landing or during emergency procedures; however, both scenarios did not apply here given the aircraft's circumstances at takeoff. The report did not reach any conclusions regarding the operational decisions made by the pilots leading to the switch’s manipulation.

Air India has acknowledged receipt of the preliminary report and confirmed their cooperation with the investigation. The airline refrained from further commentary, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry. The AAIB has indicated that a comprehensive final report is anticipated within one year, during which they will assess the need for any subsequent actions regarding the aircraft type and engine operators.

As the aviation community continues to scrutinize the details of this tragic incident, Captain Cornell remarked, “The interim report provides adequate detail on the disposition of the aircraft, but it doesn’t explain why the fuel control switches were moved to the cut-off position during what was otherwise a normal take-off.” This statement underscores the broader implications of the crash, as aviation safety experts and regulatory bodies await the final analysis to prevent future tragedies.

The preliminary findings not only highlight critical safety issues but also serve as a reminder of the complexities involved in flight operations, particularly during emergencies. As investigations continue, the families of the victims and the aviation industry will be left grappling with the consequences of this devastating event.