Breaking: Preliminary Report Finds Fuel Switches Cut Off Before Air India 787 Crash

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report into the accident involving Air India flight AI171, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The report confirms both engines shut down seconds after liftoff due to both engine fuel control switches being moved to the “CUTOFF” position.

The aircraft was operating a scheduled passenger service to London with 230 people on board, 15 in business class and 215 in economy class, including two infants. At the time of takeoff, the aircraft was carrying 54,200 kg of fuel, with a calculated takeoff weight of 213,401 kg, within the allowable limit of 218,183 kg.

According to the preliminary report, the departure phase was uneventful until liftoff from Runway 23 at 08:08:39 UTC. The aircraft achieved a maximum recorded airspeed of 180 knots just three seconds after becoming airborne. Immediately afterward, both Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel control switches transitioned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF,” one second apart.

Flight data shows a rapid decay in engine parameters following the switch movements. The cockpit voice recorder captured one of the pilots questioning the other with, “Why did you cut off?” to which the second pilot replied that he had not. No external factors such as bird strike or abnormal weather were observed, and CCTV footage confirmed deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), consistent with dual engine shutdown.

Key Points from the Preliminary Report:

• Both engine fuel control switches were moved to “CUTOFF” seconds after takeoff.

• Pilots moved the switches back to “RUN” within approximately 13–17 seconds, initiating relight attempts.

• Engine 1 showed partial recovery, while Engine 2 was unable to sustain relight.

• A Mayday call was transmitted at 08:09:05 UTC before the aircraft crashed outside the airport boundary.

• No dangerous goods were on board, and the aircraft’s weight and balance were within limits.

The report clarifies that while these are factual findings based on initial evidence, the investigation remains ongoing. The cause behind the fuel control switches being moved has not yet been determined. The AAIB has not ruled out any contributing factors and emphasizes that further evidence and records are still being gathered from stakeholders.

At this stage, the AAIB has stated that there are no recommended actions for Boeing 787-8 operators or GE GEnx-1B engine users. The investigation team will continue reviewing and examining all relevant evidence, including component analysis, human factors, and system performance.

The full investigation is expected to take several more months, with a final report to follow. Safety recommendations, if any, will be issued once the investigation is complete and findings are confirmed.