Fuel Switches Moved to 'Cutoff' Moments Before Deadly Air India Crash, Says Preliminary Report

 

Fuel Switches Moved to 'Cutoff' Moments Before Deadly Air India Crash, Says Preliminary Report

India’s worst aviation disaster in a decade under investigation as officials examine why fuel supply to engines was cut seconds after takeoff.

Published: July 12, 2025

A preliminary investigation into the tragic Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad has revealed that the plane’s engine fuel control switches were moved to the "cutoff" position just seconds after takeoff.

The findings, released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), do not assign blame but highlight a critical moment in the June 12 disaster. According to the early report, the switches—which control fuel flow to the engines—were shifted from “run” to “cutoff” three seconds after liftoff, leading to an immediate loss of thrust.

🎙️ Cockpit Audio Suggests Confusion Between Pilots

Voice recordings from the cockpit reveal one pilot questioning the other about shutting off the fuel supply. The second pilot denied doing so. The report doesn’t specify which pilot made the remarks or who issued the distress call: "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" moments before the crash.

While the AAIB hasn't confirmed how or why the fuel switches were moved, aviation experts stress that the controls are designed to prevent accidental activation.

“You can’t just bump them and have them move,” said John Cox, a U.S. aviation safety analyst, in a statement to Reuters.

Typically, fuel switches are turned to “cutoff” only when shutting down engines at an airport gate or during specific emergencies—none of which were reported during this flight.

---

✈️ No Immediate Recommendations for Boeing or Engine Manufacturers

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner powered by GE GEnx-1B engines. Despite the critical fuel switch incident, the AAIB stated that there are currently no safety directives or recommended actions for other operators of the same aircraft type.

Air India confirmed its cooperation with the investigation but declined to comment further. Boeing has not yet issued a public response.

---

⚠️ FAA Warning from 2018 Resurfaces

The report also referenced a 2018 FAA bulletin highlighting a potential issue with the locking mechanism of the fuel control switches. Although the concern did not warrant a mandatory directive, Air India admitted it did not conduct the suggested checks, stating they were advisory.

Nevertheless, the airline claimed full compliance with all existing airworthiness directives and manufacturer bulletins.

---

📉 Crash Kills 260, Leaves One Survivor

The crash, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, claimed 242 lives onboard and 19 on the ground. The aircraft went down in a densely populated area known as Meghani Nagar.

A single passenger, Viswashkumar Ramesh, miraculously survived the crash and is now recovering. He is reported to be cooperating with investigators.

---

🔍 Investigation Still Ongoing

This early report does not conclude what caused the fuel switches to be moved. Investigators have requested additional data from stakeholders, including Boeing and GE. Full findings are expected to take several more months.

This incident marks the deadliest aviation disaster globally in over 10 years, prompting increased scrutiny of aircraft systems and operational protocols.

---

Related Search Tags:
Air India plane crash 2025 • Ahmedabad Boeing 787 crash • Dreamliner fuel cutoff accident • AAIB crash investigation India • Air India tragedy June 2025 • Cockpit voice recording Boeing 787