Fatal Air India Crash: Fuel Cutoff by Pilot Sparked Disaster

      AAIB’s preliminary report finds cockpit voice recorder captured fuel switch cutoff, sparking global safety review

Fatal Air India Crash: Fuel Cutoff by Pilot Sparked Disaster

By M Muzamil Shami - July 17, 2025

Key Points

1. Preliminary AAIB report reveals fuel control switches moved to cutoff just after takeoff.

2. Cockpit voice recording captures pilot confusion—“Why did you cut off?”

3. No mechanical issues found; pilot action under intense scrutiny.

4. Global regulators now demand inspections and revive debate on cockpit video recorders.

Gasps and Gore: A Sudden, Deadly Shutdown

In a deeply shocking turn, India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that the fuel-control switches on the doomed Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner were flipped to cutoff just after takeoff—a move not triggered by mechanical failure, but seemingly human action. Audio from the cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot urgently asking, “Why did you cut off the fuel?”, as confusion and fear escalated mid-air .

Despite being swiftly turned back to “run”, automated systems couldn’t revive the engines fast enough before the aircraft plummeted, striking a college building near Ahmedabad airport and killing 260 people in one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters .

Who Are the Pilots Behind the Controls?

1. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, with over 15,600 hours of flying experience (8,500 on the 787).

2. First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, with 3,400+ hours, including significant Dreamliner time .

Data shows Sabharwal was likely at the controls during takeoff—the aircraft lifted off at 180 knots, fuel cutoff occurred one second later, and revival began about 10 seconds afterwards—ultimately too late to save the flight

READ MORE

Fuel Cutoff in Air India Dreamliner Crash: New AAIB Report Shocks Experts

Not a Mechanical Failure—but A Safety Ticking Time Bomb

Air India and DGCA inspections have found no faults in the fuel switch locking mechanisms or aircraft maintenance records A November 2018 FAA bulletin had flagged potential disengagement in similar Boeing models—but because it was non-mandatory, Air India didn’t act until regulators issued mandatory directives post-crash

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson emphasized that “no mechanical or maintenance issues” were found, cautioning against premature conclusions while the probe is ongoing

Global Fallout & Mandatory Safety Inspections

Following the report:

1. India’s DGCA ordered all Boeing 787 and 737 operators to conduct fuel switch checks by July 21—with airlines like Lufthansa and Etihad already complying

2. Air India has inspected its entire 787 fleet and found no discrepancies

3. The EU and FAA have reiterated that while no unsafe defect is currently confirmed, vigilance is essential.

Cockpit Cameras: The Debate Heats Up

The crash has reignited calls for installing cockpit image recorders, not just voice and data recorders. Regulators and safety experts—including IATA chief Willie Walsh and aviation specialist John Nance—argue video would clarify critical cockpit interactions, especially when pilot intent and mental state are in question

But pilot unions (ALPA, APA) push back—warning that cockpit cameras risk privacy violations and could be misused. They say current systems plus better training should suffice

A Closer Look: Key Passenger and Flight Facts

Detail	Information
Flight	Air India Flight 171, Boeing 787-8
Route	Ahmedabad → London Gatwick
Date	June 12, 2025
Occupants	242 (230 passengers, 12 crew)
Ground Casualties	19 killed, 67 injured
Fatalities	241 onboard, 260 total fatalities
Survivors	1, a British-Indian passenger

The AAIB confirmed flaps were in takeoff position, the RAT deployed, and engine relight systems triggered—but ultimately failed at low altitude and speed

FAQs

Q1: How quickly were fuel switches turned back on?
A1: Both switches were reset about 10 seconds later, but by then the plane had lost too much thrust .

Q2: What is a ram air turbine (RAT)?
A2: A safety backup that deploys automatically when power is lost, supplying emergency hydraulic and electrical power; it deployed in this incident .

Q3: Can accidental movement of the fuel switch happen?
A3: The switches are spring-loaded and guarded, requiring deliberate upward pull—airline and US pilots viewed accidental flipping as unlikely .

Q4: Did a mechanical issue cause the crash?
A4: No. The AAIB found the aircraft airworthy with no mechanical or maintenance faults .

Q5: Who triggered the fuel cutoff?
A5: The cockpit voice still only shows confusion—one pilot asked, and the other denied cutting fuel .

Q6: Could video footage have helped?
A6: Aviation experts say yes—cockpit cameras would offer clarity on actions and intent during the critical moments .

Q7: What’s next in the investigation?
A7: A full report is expected within 12 months. Meanwhile, global inspections of Boeing fuel systems are underway .

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