🚨 Air India Boeing 787 Crash: Preliminary Report Reveals Engines Shut Down Seconds After Takeoff
Ahmedabad, India – 12 June 2025: The aviation world is in shock as the preliminary investigation report into Air India’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) crash reveals both engines shut down seconds after takeoff when the fuel control switches unexpectedly moved to CUTOFF.
The tragic accident claimed 241 lives, including 229 passengers and 12 crew members. The findings suggest a possible technical fault, not pilot error, as investigators continue to analyze the data.
🛫 What Happened on Flight AI171?
On the morning of 12 June 2025, Flight AI171 departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick. The takeoff seemed routine until disaster struck.
According to the report, the aircraft achieved liftoff speed at 08:08:39 UTC. But within three seconds, both engines stopped producing thrust as:
> “The Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another.”
This led to a rapid loss of altitude, causing the aircraft to crash into nearby buildings just outside the airport boundary.
🎙️ Chilling Cockpit Voice Recorder Exchange
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) captured an alarming conversation between the pilots:
👨✈️ Pilot 1: “Why did you cutoff?”
👨✈️ Pilot 2: “I didn’t do it!”
This suggests neither pilot intentionally shut off the fuel, pointing investigators towards a possible technical malfunction.
⚙️ FAA Advisory Linked to Fuel Switch Issue
The report highlights a 2018 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) about the potential disengagement of fuel control switch locks on Boeing aircraft.
Although advisory, it recommended inspections to prevent accidental switch movement. Air India had not performed these inspections, as the SAIB was not mandatory.
🛠️ Desperate Restart Attempt Failed
After the engines shut down, the pilots attempted to restart them. One engine began to recover, but the second failed to regain power before impact.
At 08:09:05 UTC, the captain transmitted a “MAYDAY” call. Seconds later, the aircraft crashed, destroying five buildings in the vicinity.
🧐 Was It Pilot Error?
The preliminary report states there is no evidence of pilot error. Instead, the investigation is focusing on a possible technical fault in the fuel control switch mechanism and maintenance compliance issues.
📌 What’s Next?
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), along with Boeing, GE, and international agencies, continues the investigation. The final report will determine the root cause and recommend safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
📢 Stay Updated
This preliminary report has sent shockwaves through the aviation community. Stay tuned for more updates as we await the final findings.
📖 Meta Description:
Latest update on Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad – The initial findings from the investigation into the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad reveal that both engines shut down within seconds of takeoff. Investigators report the fuel control switches were found in the CUTOFF position. So far, no evidence of pilot error has been established.
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