Fuel switches cut off before Air India flight AI171 crash that killed 260, preliminary report says
Air India Boeing 787-8 - Photo Credit: AirTeamImages.com
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has released the preliminary report on the tragic accident involving Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 (registration VT-ANB) that crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, en route to London Gatwick.
Key Findings from the Preliminary Report
According to the initial findings, at approximately 08:08:42 UTC, just after the aircraft reached a peak speed of 180 knots Indicated Air Speed, both engine fuel cutoff switches in the cockpit transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF—within one second of each other. This action resulted in the immediate shutdown of both engines.
Dual Engine Shutdown and RAT Deployment
The loss of thrust triggered the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup power source used in emergencies. CCTV footage from the airport confirmed the RAT deployment during the aircraft's initial climb.
Crew Communication Captured
Cockpit voice recordings captured a chilling exchange between the pilots. One pilot can be heard asking, “Why did you cut off?”, to which the other replied he had not, suggesting unintended or unclear control actions.
Attempted Recovery and Final Moments
The flight crew attempted to restore the switches to RUN within 10 to 14 seconds, and there were fleeting indications of engine relight. Unfortunately, the aircraft had already begun to lose altitude and crossed the airport perimeter wall.
At 08:09:05 UTC, one of the pilots declared an emergency with the call: “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY”—but by then, it was too late to recover.
