Air India 171 crash probe: Cockpit audio reveals pilots' confusion over mid-air fuel cutoff - 10 key points from AAIB preliminary report

NEW DELHI: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report into the Air India plane crash that killed 260 people in Ahmedabad on June 12.

The 15-page report, published late Friday, outlines the initial findings and status of the investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI171 , a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner headed for London Gatwick. The aircraft went down shortly after take-off, crashing into a medical hostel complex near the airport. Of the 241 people onboard, only one passenger survived.

This was the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, marking a significant and tragic milestone for the wide-body aircraft.

A status report on the crash was earlier released by the civil aviation ministry on June 26.

Here are 10 key findings from the preliminary probe report:

Fuel supply to both engines was cut off mid-air: Just three seconds after takeoff, both engines’ fuel control switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF within one second of each other, leading to sudden loss of thrust.

Pilot confusion in cockpit: One pilot is heard asking “Why did you cutoff?” to which the other replied, “I did not do so,” suggesting a potential technical malfunction or inadvertent activation.

Relight attempt failed on one engine: The flight data shows relight was automatically attempted and succeeded for Engine 1, but Engine 2 failed to recover despite multiple fuel reintroductions.

RAT deployed immediately: The Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency power source, deployed right after liftoff, indicating a total loss of power to essential systems.

Mayday call issued seconds before crash: At 08:09:05 UTC, a distress call was made, just seconds before the aircraft impacted buildings outside the airport perimeter.

Aircraft crashed nose-up but with engines off: Analysis shows the plane hit buildings with an 8° nose-up attitude and level wings, but with both engines inactive, unable to sustain climb.

Cockpit controls in normal takeoff mode: Flap and landing gear levers were in standard takeoff positions; thrust levers were found in idle post-crash, though they were at takeoff thrust during flight — confirming an in-flight cutoff.

Debris and wreckage strewn over 1,000 ft: The aircraft hit several buildings and structures, with components like engines, wings, and landing gears scattered across a wide crash zone near BJ Medical College hostel.

Aircraft was airworthy with minor MEL issues: The aircraft had valid airworthiness certificates and a few Category C and D MELs (non-critical maintenance issues), none linked to fuel control.

No prior issues reported with fuel control switches: While Boeing had issued an advisory (not mandatory) on fuel control switch lock concerns, Air India had not conducted the optional inspections. The aircraft had previous throttle module replacements in 2019 and 2023.

Also read: AAIB releases preliminary report, says fuel supply to both engines was cut off

The investigation is ongoing. Fuel sample testing, post-mortem reports, and further forensic analysis will shape the final findings. The AAIB has not issued safety recommendations yet, but the event raises serious concerns about potential technical faults or unintended actions related to fuel cutoff systems.