A preliminary investigation into the deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad has revealed that both engines lost power seconds after take-off due to the sudden cut-off of fuel supply, causing the aircraft to plunge into a nearby residential building and killing 260 people.
The London-bound Flight AI171, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on 12 June at 13:39 local time. It was in the air for less than a minute before crashing into a doctors’ hostel at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital. The crash killed 242 people on board and 18 on the ground, with just one survivor — British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh — managing to escape from the wreckage.
According to the preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Friday, the aircraft’s fuel-control switches unexpectedly moved from the “run” to the “cut-off” position just after take-off, resulting in a total loss of thrust. Cockpit voice recordings reveal one pilot asking, “why did you cut off?” and the other replying that he “did not do so.” It remains unclear what caused the switches to move.
Although the switches later returned to their normal position and one engine briefly restarted, it was too late to recover. The aircraft, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, issued a Mayday call moments before it slammed into the building, triggering an explosion.
The report ruled out bird strikes and pilot fatigue as contributing factors. It also noted a 2019 advisory from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning similar switches on Boeing 737 aircraft, which could be installed with disengaged locking mechanisms. Though the same switch design was used in the crashed aircraft, inspections were not mandated under that advisory and were not carried out by Air India.
The AAIB said no immediate safety recommendations were issued for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or GE engines. A final report is expected within a year, following continued investigation involving Boeing, General Electric, Indian regulators, and aviation authorities from the UK and US.
In response, Air India said it is cooperating fully with investigators but declined to comment further. Boeing also stated it was supporting the investigation and adhering to international protocols.
The crash is a significant blow to Air India’s operations and reputation. The airline, recently privatised under the Tata Group, has reduced some international wide-body routes and launched fleet-wide safety checks on its Dreamliner aircraft.
Ramesh, the sole survivor, recounted to state broadcaster DD News how he escaped through a broken door. “I thought I was going to die,” he said. “But I managed to open my eyes, unfasten my seatbelt, and crawl out.”
The Dreamliner involved was 11 years old and had flown over 700 flights in the past year. The incident is the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787-8 since its commercial debut in 2011.
