Air India crash preliminary report reveals confusion over engine switch movement

A preliminary report of the Air India flight AI171 revealed a series of events that left both engines starved of fuel shortly after takeoff, Reuters reported.

The incident, which happened on Jun. 12, killed 260 people on board a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad, India to London.

Confusion in the cockpit

According to a report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Jul. 12, both engine fuel cutoff switches were flipped moments after the aircraft became airborne, causing the plane to lose thrust and descend rapidly.

CCTV footage from the airport showed a ram air turbine deploying almost immediately after takeoff — a backup power source typically triggered by complete engine failure.

In the flight's final moments, cockpit voice recordings captured one of the pilots asking the other why he had cut off the fuel.

"The other pilot responded that he did not do so," said the report.

The crew sent out a “Mayday” call just before the crash. It remains unclear who made the transmission.

The aircraft was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, a senior instructor with over 15,000 flight hours.

His co-pilot, Clive Kunder, 32, had over 3,400 hours of experience.

Investigators said the fuel switches were found in the “run” position at the crash site, suggesting that an engine relight may have been attempted before impact.

Cause still unknown

The preliminary report did not confirm how or why the switches were moved.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu urged the public not to speculate.

“These are technical things and that is why we have the investigation agencies. Once they are clear, they are going to submit the final report," he said.

The airline said it is fully cooperating with authorities but declined further comment.

Top image via AAIB