
Fuel to engines cut off before Air India crash, preliminary report says
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Air India Ahmedabad crash probe: Report says fuel to both engines cut off within a second
Air India Ahmedabad crash probe: Report says fuel to both engines cut off within a second. Key points mentioned are a fuel cut query by one of the pilots, the sequence of the accident, and aircraft maintenance records. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner struck a medical hostel complex, killing 260 people — making it the first fatal accident involving the aircraft model. Boeing also said it will defer to the Indian investigative body under the ICAO’s Annex 13 protocol.
By CNBCTV18.COM | Jul 12, 2025 1:18 PM IST (Updated)
Air India crash probe LIVE: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary findings into the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad early morning on Saturday, July 12. The key points mentioned are a fuel cut query by one of the pilots, the sequence of the accident, and aircraft maintenance records.
Air India crash probe LIVE: India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report into the crash of Air India flight AI171, which went down on June 12, 2025, shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad airport en route to London Gatwick.
The 15-page prelim report notes that both engines shut down in flight due to a sudden transition of fuel cutoff switches from RUN to CUTOFF within a second of each other. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cut off (the fuel)?” — to which the other responded, “I didn’t.” Seconds later, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was seen deploying via airport CCTV footage, confirming total power loss during initial climb.
Air India, in its first official statement after the report’s release, expressed condolences and confirmed it continues to cooperate with the investigation. Citing the ongoing nature of the probe, the airline said it is unable to comment further and directed technical queries to the AAIB. Boeing also said it will defer to the Indian investigative body under the ICAO’s Annex 13 protocol.
The AAIB said no immediate safety recommendations have been issued for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or GE GEnx-1B engines. The wreckage has been secured for further analysis, and the final report is expected within a year.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner struck a medical hostel complex, killing 260 people — making it the first fatal accident involving the aircraft model.
Stay tuned with our LIVE updates on the Air India Ahmedabad crash probe:
India news live updates: Just like in many other states, BJP will form government in Tamil Nadu also, says Amit Shah
Ukraine says Russia fired 623 drones and missiles Russia fired 597 drones and 26 long-range missiles overnight, Ukraine said on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributes over 51,000 appointment letters at 16th Rozgar Mela. Fuel control switches of the Air India plane were cut off and later turned on before it crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people. There is no recommended action for now for the operators of Boeing 787-8 operators, according to the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) Air India on Saturday said it is working closely with regulators and other stakeholders, and will continue to cooperate with the authorities in the ongoing probe into the Ahmedabad plane crash after AAIB released its preliminary report. The report raises fresh questions over the position of the critical engines fuel cutoff switches, while suggesting that Boeing and engine maker GE had no apparent responsibility for the accident. The preliminary report depicted confusion in the cockpit shortly before an Air India jetliner crashed, killing260 people last month.
“The enemy launched 623 aerial weapons,” the Ukrainian air force said in a statement, adding it had downed 319 drones and 25 missiles.
(reports AFP)
Conclusions can’t be drawn from preliminary report; pilots’ conversation very brief: Union MoS Murlidhar Mohol on AAIB plane crash report
Just like in many other states, BJP will form government in Tamil Nadu also: Amit Shah in Kerala
Jaguar Land Rover North America recalls about 21,000 US vehicles over torn passenger airbags
23 Naxalites carrying cumulative bounty of Rs 1.18 crore surrender in Chhattisgarh: Police
Chief Justice of India Gavai advises students to go abroad for studies on scholarships, not to put pressure on family finances
PM Modi distributes over 51,000 appointment letters at 16th Rozgar Mela On distribution of 51,000 appointment letters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “… Our moto is ‘Bina Parchi Bina Kharchi’… Lakhs of youth have been employed through such Rozgar Mela and are contributing to the development of the nation… Some will protect the nation, some warriors of ‘Help for all’, some will strengthen the financial inclusion mission, and many others will enhance the industrial development of the nation… Your departments are different, but one body – nation’s service…”
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court grants time to arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari to exhaust statutory remedy against the order declaring him a fugitive economic offender Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court grants time to arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari to exhaust statutory remedy against the order declaring him a fugitive economic offender. The court adjourns hearing on Enforcement Directorate’s plea seeking confiscation of Sanjay Bhandari’s properties. Matter adjourned till August 2.
Bhandari was declared a fugitive economic offender on July 5, 2025.
Australian Alireza Faghani to referee Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain
Air India crash report live updates: Fuel switches cutoff before AI plane crash; no recommended action for 787-8 operators for now: AAIB Air India crash report live updates: Fuel control switches of the Air India plane were cut off and later turned on before it crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people, according to the preliminary report by AAIB which also noted that there is no recommended action for now for the operators of Boeing 787-8 operators.
Air India crash report live updates: Air India crash report shows pilot confusion over engine switch movement Air India crash report live updates: A preliminary report depicted confusion in the cockpit shortly before an Air India jetliner crashed, killing 260 people last month, after the plane’s engine fuel cutoff switches almost simultaneously flipped, starving the engines of fuel.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London from the Indian city of Ahmedabad immediately began to lose thrust and sink down, according to the report on the world’s deadliest aviation accident in a decade released on Saturday by Indian accident investigators.
The report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) about the June 12 crash shortly after takeoff raises fresh questions over the position of the critical engines fuel cutoff switches, while suggesting that Boeing and engine maker GE had no apparent responsibility for the accident.
Air India crash report live updates: Working closely with stakeholders, says airline on AAIB initial report on plane crash Air India crash report live updates: Air India on Saturday said it is working closely with regulators and other stakeholders, and will continue to cooperate with the authorities in the ongoing probe into the Ahmedabad plane crash after AAIB released its preliminary report.
On June 12, the airline’s Boeing 787-8 plane operating flight AI 171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed soon after take off and 260 people died in the accident.
“We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) today, 12 July 2025.,” the airline said in a post on X.
Further, the airline said it is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. “We continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses”.
Air India crash report live updates: Boeing on AAIB report Air India crash report live updates: Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg said, “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.”
Boeing will defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization protocol known as Annex 13(opens in a new tab).
Turning off fuel switches in cockpit shut Air India plane engine: How could this have happened?
Fuel control switches are at the centre of the investigation into last month’s Air India plane crash that killed 260 people. After the aircraft reached its top speed of 180 knots, both engine fuel cutoff switches moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ within a second. The plane started losing altitude before it could clear the airport’s boundary wall. The pilots then switched both controls back to ‘RUN’, but one engine failed to stabilise, and they had to send out a distress call read more. In this explainer, we look at what fuel control switches do, why they are important and what the investigation says about how they may have affected the flight. The report does not explain how this could have happened while the plane was in the air. It is unlikely that a pilot could move these switches by mistake, reports said. A pilot would need to use these switches only if an engine failed or was damaged badly enough that stopping its fuel supply became necessary for safety.
The accident killed at least 260 people, including 19 people on the ground. PTI/File Photo
Engine fuel control switches are at the centre of the investigation into last month’s Air India plane crash that killed 260 people, according to the preliminary report released on Saturday.
The report found that just seconds after takeoff, the fuel control switches on the Boeing 787’s engines were turned off for a short time, cutting off the fuel supply.
As per the initial findings shared by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 12, one of the pilots is heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” The second pilot responded by saying he did not.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
These switches, though small in size, are crucial for managing the aircraft’s engines. Even an unintentional movement can lead to major problems.
In this explainer, we look at what fuel control switches do, why they are important and what the investigation says about how they may have affected the flight.
Let’s find out:
What are fuel switches?
Fuel switches control the flow of fuel into an aircraft’s engines.
Pilots use them to start or stop the engines while on the ground, or to manually cut off or restart them if there is an engine issue during flight.
According to aviation experts, it is unlikely that a pilot could move these switches by mistake, reports said.
Thrust Lever Quadrant & Fuel Control Switch of the doomed Air India plane
Each switch is protected by brackets on either side and fitted with a stop lock. This means the switch must be lifted before it can be moved between its two settings: RUN and CUTOFF.
If a switch is moved, it would immediately cut off fuel to the engine, causing it to lose power.
US aviation safety expert John Cox told Reuters that these switches and the valves they control are powered and wired separately. This system ensures that if a switch is used, it directly affects only the engine it is linked to.
A pilot would need to use these switches during flight only if an engine failed or was damaged badly enough that stopping its fuel supply became necessary for safety, The Indian Express reported.
Where are the fuel switches located?
In a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the fuel switches are placed just beneath the engine thrust levers on the cockpit’s centre console.
Air India’s Dreamliners, which are powered by GE engines, have two such switches, one for each engine.
The switches are spring-loaded so they stay in place. They operate in two modes: RUN and CUTOFF.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
To shift a switch from RUN to CUTOFF, a pilot must first lift it and then move it. This added step helps prevent it from being moved by accident.
What happens when fuel cutoff switches flip from run to cutoff?
Soon after takeoff, both fuel switches were found to have flipped from run to cutoff within a second of each other. The preliminary report does not explain how this could have happened while the plane was in the air.
The report said that if the switches are moved from cutoff to run during flight, each engine’s system begins an automatic restart, reintroducing fuel and ignition to recover thrust.
Aviation experts have said that it is highly unlikely for a pilot to move these switches by accident, Reuters reported.
“If they were moved because of a pilot, why?” US aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse told the news agency.
According to US aviation expert John Nance, the switches flipped one after the other, a second apart, about the time needed to move one and then the other. He added that a pilot would almost never switch them off during the early climb.
Flipping the switches to cutoff causes the engines to shut down almost immediately. This action is typically taken after landing when the aircraft has reached its gate or in emergencies like an engine fire. The report does not mention any such emergency during the flight.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
At the crash site, both switches were found in the run position. The report also mentioned signs that the engines had restarted shortly before the aircraft hit the ground.
Did a pilot cut off fuel?
Switching the fuel cutoff to ‘cut-off’ is normally done only after the plane has landed.
The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cut off?”, to which the reply was a denial.
The Air India flight that crashed on June 12 in Ahmedabad was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Reuters/File Photo
The recording does not clearly show who said what. At the time, the co-pilot was in control of the aircraft, while the captain was monitoring.
Investigators pointed out that the switches are fitted with lever-locks to prevent unintentional use. These must be pulled up before being moved.
A Canada-based air accident investigator told BBC, “It would be almost impossible to pull both switches with a single movement of one hand, and this makes accidental deployment unlikely.”
The Air India flight that crashed on June 12 in Ahmedabad was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
The accident killed at least 260 people, including 19 people on the ground. Just one passenger survived, making it one of the worst air disasters in India’s history.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
With inputs from agencies
Air India plane crash: What are the fuel control switches under scrutiny? What they do and why they matter
Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel into an aircraft’s engines. They are essential during engine start-up and shutdown procedures, both on the ground and in flight. A 2018 FAA safety bulletin had warned about possible issues with the locking mechanism of the fuel control switches on similar aircraft. The final cause of the crash remains under investigation, but early findings have raised serious concerns about the crash’s cause. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released the findings on Saturday, along with a detailed timeline and images of the wreckage. The unexpected engine shutdown led to the accident that killed 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the Ground. The report also highlighted the backup power source that activates when both engines fail, as seen in airport CCTV footage, with no evidence of activity in the vicinity of the airport. But by then, both engines had already lost critical thrust, and the plane had entered a rapid descent into a nearby building just 32 seconds after takeoff, the report added. The aircraft involved in the crash was equipped with two General Electric (GE) engines.
The preliminary report on the Air India Flight AI171 crash has found that both engines of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner lost power just three seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad due to a brief but sudden cutoff in fuel supply.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The unexpected engine shutdown led to the accident that killed 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
Investigators found that the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches were briefly turned off, triggering a sudden loss of thrust and causing the plane to crash into a nearby building moments after takeoff.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released the findings on Saturday, along with a detailed timeline and images of the wreckage.
Investigators also noted that a 2018 FAA safety bulletin had warned about possible issues with the locking mechanism of the fuel control switches on similar aircraft.
What are fuel control switches linked to Air India flight AI171 crash?
Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel into an aircraft’s engines. They are essential during engine start-up and shutdown procedures, both on the ground and in flight.
In the event of an engine failure, pilots can use these switches to manually restart or shut down engines.
Experts say these switches are designed to prevent accidental activation. However, if moved, the impact is immediate, cutting off engine power.
According to US aviation safety expert John Cox, the switches and the fuel valves they control operate via independent power systems and wiring, making redundancy and reliability crucial.
Where are they located on a Boeing 787?
In the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, such as the one operated by Air India on Flight AI171, the two fuel switches are positioned just below the thrust levers.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The aircraft involved in the crash was equipped with two General Electric (GE) engines.
These switches are spring-loaded to stay in their designated position. To shift them from “RUN” (normal fuel flow) to “CUTOFF” (fuel shutoff), a pilot must first pull the switch up before moving it—ensuring deliberate action is required.
What they do and why they matter?
RUN: Allows fuel to flow into the engine, enabling normal operation.
CUTOFF: Stops fuel supply, effectively shutting down the engine.
The system is designed to be fail-safe, and any manual change requires purposeful input from the crew.
Aviation safety experts note that turning these off during takeoff would be highly unusual and could lead to catastrophic consequences, exactly what appears to have occurred in the case of AI171.
The preliminary crash report suggests both engines were starved of fuel shortly after takeoff, following a transition of the switches from RUN to CUTOFF.
Investigators are now looking into how and why these switches were moved, whether due to mechanical fault, inadvertent human input, or other system malfunction.
What did the preliminary data reveal?
According to flight data, within seconds of the aircraft reaching its peak speed of 180 knots during takeoff, both engine fuel switches moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ — one after the other, with a one-second gap. This caused an immediate loss of thrust.
A
cockpit voice recording captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you shut off the fuel?” to which “the other pilot responded that he did not do so,” the report said.
The switches were flipped back to ‘RUN’ 14 seconds later, triggering the aircraft’s automatic engine relight sequence.
“The aircraft achieved maximum recorded airspeed of 180 knots… and immediately thereafter, the engine 1 and engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of one second,” the report added.
But by then, both engines had already lost critical thrust, and the aircraft had entered a rapid descent.
Despite the crew’s distress call—”MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”—the plane crashed into a nearby building just 32 seconds after takeoff.
The report also highlighted the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)—a backup power source that activates when both engines fail, as seen in airport CCTV footage, with no evidence of bird activity in the vicinity.
What expert said on the preliminary report?
Aviation experts continue to stress that it is nearly impossible for a pilot to unintentionally shut off both fuel switches. “No sane pilot would ever turn those switches off in flight,” said US safety expert John Nance, especially not during the climb phase.
The final cause of the crash remains under investigation, but the early findings have raised serious concerns about cockpit procedures, aircraft safety checks, and possible technical flaws.
AI 171 Crash: No Pilot Error, Focus Should Be On Engine Shutdown, Says Captain CS Randhawa | Profit Exclusive
Captain CS Randhawa has questioned the initial findings of the AAIB’s preliminary report into the Air India AI171 crash. He strongly ruled out pilot error as the cause, calling instead for a deeper investigation into the fuel cut-off that led to the fatal dual-engine flameout.
According to the AAIB report, both fuel control switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ just one second apart, causing the engines to lose power seconds after liftoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 12. The aircraft, headed to London Gatwick, crashed within 32 seconds, killing 260 people including 19 on the ground.
Captain Randhawa emphasised that the fuel control switches are physically guarded and spring-loaded, making it impossible for them to move without deliberate manual intervention. “A pilot cannot accidentally toggle those switches. They must be lifted and moved intentionally—this isn’t something inertia or turbulence can cause,” he told NDTV Profit. The report does not clarify who gave the command or operated the switches, nor who issued the mayday call, which raises serious doubts, he said.