The preliminary report on the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has revealed that fuel supply to the engines cut off just seconds after take-off and the crash, which occurred on June 12, killed 260 people, including 241 passengers onboard and 19 individuals on the ground where the only one passenger survived. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171, was en route to London when it crashed into a densely populated area near the airport.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released the 15-page report that ruled out mechanical fault by Boeing or engine maker GE, while identifying the critical shift of fuel switches to the “CUTOFF” position as the immediate cause. The investigation is ongoing, with further evidence being reviewed.
Fuel Cutoff Happened Seconds After Take-Off
The report noted that the aircraft reached its peak airspeed of 180 knots at 08:08:42 UTC. Right after, engine 1 and engine 2 fuel switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF within one second of each other. This sudden cutoff led to a sharp drop in engine values, causing the aircraft to lose altitude even before crossing the airport boundary wall.
No Fault Assigned to Boeing or GE Engines
Investigators found no initial evidence pointing to Boeing or GE GEnx-1B engines as the cause. There were no recommended actions issued for either manufacturer or other B787-8 operators at this stage.
10 Key Points the AAIB Has Investigated So Far
- Investigators completed all activities at the wreckage site, including detailed drone photography and videography for documentation. The site was thoroughly examined before clearance.
- The entire wreckage was moved to a secure area near the airport, where further analysis of aircraft parts can be done without external interference.
- Both engines were recovered from the crash site and placed under quarantine at an airport hangar to preserve their condition for forensic inspection.
- Critical aircraft components that require deeper inspection were identified and isolated from the rest of the wreckage for ongoing technical evaluation.
- Fuel samples taken from the refueling browsers and tanks used before the flight were tested at DGCA’s laboratory and were found to meet all required standards.
- Only a limited amount of fuel was recovered from the APU filter and the Refuel/Jettison valve on the left wing. These samples will be tested at a specialized facility capable of analyzing small volumes.
- Data from the forward Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) has been downloaded and is currently being analysed to reconstruct the exact sequence of events.
- Statements from all eyewitnesses and the lone surviving passenger have been collected, which may provide critical insights into the final moments of the flight.
- Postmortem reports of the crew and passengers are being carefully examined to match medical results with the technical findings for a complete aero-medical assessment.
- Authorities are actively collecting further evidence, including technical records, logs, and maintenance history, based on the leads identified in the initial phase of the probe.
The AAIB concluded that the investigation remains active, authorities are collecting further records, evidence, and technical inputs from all stakeholders. Only once this process concludes will a final report and recommendations follow.
