Preliminary Report Reveals Fuel Cutoff as Cause of Air India Crash

A preliminary investigation into the tragic Air India plane crash that occurred on June 12, 2025, has revealed critical findings regarding the circumstances leading to the disaster. According to the report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the aircraft's fuel control switches were moved from the 'run' to 'cutoff' position shortly before impact, resulting in the loss of engine thrust shortly after takeoff.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was on a domestic flight, crashed in Ahmedabad, killing at least 260 people, including 19 on the ground. Among the passengers were 230 individuals, comprising 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, and the crash is now considered one of the worst aviation disasters in Indian history. Only one passenger survived the incident.

The flight reportedly lasted approximately 30 seconds between takeoff and the catastrophic crash. The AAIB’s preliminary report states that both engines experienced a sudden loss of power due to the switches transitioning to the 'cutoff' position one after another within a second. The report did not clarify how the switches could have been altered during flight, raising further questions about cockpit procedures and safety protocols.

As the aircraft began its rapid descent, one of the pilots transmitted a distress call, ‘MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY,’ indicating the urgency of the situation. In the final moments before the crash, a conversation captured by the cockpit voice recorder revealed confusion between the pilots regarding the fuel cutoff. One pilot queried, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” to which the other pilot responded that he had not done so.

Air India has stated that it is fully cooperating with the investigation led by the AAIB. The airline emphasized its commitment to working closely with regulatory authorities to ensure a thorough examination of the incident. Furthermore, following the crash, Indian aviation authorities mandated comprehensive inspections of Air India’s entire fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners to mitigate the risk of similar occurrences in the future.

The aircraft’s black boxes, which include the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, were recovered shortly after the crash and have since been analyzed by Indian investigators.

This incident has raised significant concerns regarding flight safety and operational protocols within the aviation sector in India. Experts are calling for an in-depth review of aircraft operation procedures and training programs for pilots to prevent future tragedies. As investigations continue, the implications of this crash are likely to resonate throughout the aviation industry, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures and stringent regulatory oversight.