Ahmedabad, July 12, 2025 — The preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the Air India Flight AI 171 crash has delivered a harrowing account of a catastrophic failure just seconds after takeoff. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, crashed into a residential college block, killing 260 people — 241 on board and 19 on the ground. Only one passenger miraculously survived.
According to the findings, both engines shut down mid-air after their fuel control switches were mysteriously moved to the “CUTOFF” position. While the cause remains under investigation, the sequence of events has raised serious questions about cockpit safety, crew coordination, and aircraft system design.
Timeline of the Tragedy
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08:08:39 UTC – Flight AI 171 takes off from Ahmedabad.
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08:08:42 UTC – Left engine fuel switch is moved to CUTOFF.
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08:08:43 UTC – Right engine fuel switch is also moved to CUTOFF.
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08:08:45 UTC – Both engines lose power; backup systems activate.
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08:09:02 UTC – Mayday call transmitted from cockpit.
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08:10:00 UTC – Aircraft crashes into BJ Medical College’s hostel.
The crash occurred within just 90 seconds of takeoff, giving little room for maneuver or recovery.
Cockpit Chaos: Fuel Switches at the Center
The report identifies a key anomaly: both engine fuel control switches were manually set to the “CUTOFF” position shortly after takeoff. These switches are typically protected against accidental activation, requiring a deliberate lift-and-turn motion. Their usage mid-air is extremely rare and not part of any standard procedure during climb-out.
The cockpit voice recorder captured a chilling exchange:
“Why did you cut off?”
“I did not.”
This interaction suggests confusion and potential disagreement between the pilots regarding who, if anyone, moved the switches. Both switches were later found back in the “RUN” position, indicating an attempt to restart the engines. However, the aircraft had already lost too much altitude to recover.
Pilot and Aircraft Background
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, aged 56, had over 15,600 total flight hours, including 8,600 hours on the Boeing 787. He was considered highly experienced and had served as a senior training instructor.
First Officer Clive Kunder, aged 32, had 3,400 hours of total flight time with 1,100 hours on the 787. He was recently promoted to operate international routes.
The aircraft itself, a Boeing 787-8 registered VT-ANB, had been in service for nearly 10 years and had passed routine maintenance checks. The engines were GE GEnx-1B models, considered among the most reliable in the industry.
Survivor Account and Impact Site
Of the 241 onboard, only one passenger, a 26-year-old British-Indian medical student, survived. He was seated near an emergency exit and was reportedly ejected from the aircraft upon impact.
The aircraft crashed into the dormitory wing of BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad. Nineteen people on the ground, including students and faculty, died instantly. More than 50 others suffered injuries, including burns and trauma from falling debris.
Unanswered Questions
The most pressing issue remains: What caused the switches to move? Three main theories are under review:
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Human Error – Did a crew member mistakenly activate the switches under duress or confusion?
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Mechanical Failure – Could there have been a fault in the locking mechanism or wiring?
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Electrical/Software Fault – Was there a rogue signal or a software glitch that caused unintended switch movement?
Investigators found no evidence of fire, external impact, or sabotage. All attention now turns to flight deck design, electronics, and pilot actions.
Pre-Flight Warning Signs?
The report also mentions that the same aircraft had been flagged earlier that day for an issue related to its horizontal stabilizer sensor. While engineers cleared the plane for flight, it is now under review whether that defect could have played a role in confusing cockpit alerts or triggering unintended system responses.
Additionally, no previous issues were reported with the fuel control system. Both engines passed their pre-flight checks.
Functioning of Emergency Systems
After engine shutdown, the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT) automatically deployed. This emergency turbine supplies basic hydraulic and electrical power when both engines fail. The RAT engaged successfully, and cockpit displays remained active.
The pilots attempted a restart sequence. Engine 1 showed signs of ignition, but the aircraft lacked sufficient altitude and forward speed for recovery. The engines never fully regained power before the crash.
Industry and Regulatory Reaction
The crash has prompted a flurry of regulatory responses:
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Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered inspections of all Boeing 787s in India.
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Checks are being conducted on fuel control switches, cockpit electronics, and hydraulic backups.
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Boeing and GE Aerospace have pledged full cooperation.
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International aviation safety agencies have been invited to join the investigation.
There is rising concern within the aviation community that the switches’ design or an overlooked defect may have systemic implications beyond this incident.
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Safety Systems and Design Under Scrutiny
The Boeing 787’s cockpit features protective latches on critical switches. Investigators are examining whether these protections were insufficient or if a known design flaw existed.
In past cases globally, there have been isolated instances of electrical faults affecting switch behavior. The current probe is now expanding to include flight software logs, cockpit wiring schematics, and historical defect reports.
Engine manufacturers are also assisting in recreating possible mechanical simulations to determine if a dual engine cutoff could occur without direct human action.
Compensation and Public Support
Air India has announced an immediate compensation program for victims’ families, including:
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Ex-gratia financial aid
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Funeral expenses
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Long-term educational support for children of victims
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Psychological and legal assistance
Meanwhile, families of the deceased have demanded full transparency and called for an independent inquiry. Several legal petitions are underway, seeking accountability and reform in airline oversight.
Potential Reforms and Lessons Ahead
This incident has pushed global aviation regulators to reconsider multiple aspects of flight safety:
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Reassessment of switch ergonomics and cockpit design
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Mandatory updates to checklist procedures
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Enhanced training for rare mid-air dual engine failure scenarios
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Redundancy checks for critical controls even during short-haul departures
Experts say this event will likely result in manufacturer advisories and possibly design changes for future aircraft models.
What Happens Next?
The final report is expected within the next 6 to 12 months. It will include:
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Black box data (Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder analysis)
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Human factors evaluation
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Mechanical and electrical component forensics
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Maintenance history audit
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Detailed simulation recreations
Only then will investigators provide a conclusive explanation for what exactly caused one of India’s most tragic and baffling aviation disasters.
Conclusion
The Air India AI 171 crash has not only claimed lives but shaken public faith in aviation safety. The mystery surrounding the fuel control switch movement—and the inability to recover despite proper emergency responses—raises serious alarms about current cockpit systems and procedural safeguards.
Until definitive answers emerge, the aviation world must face the sobering truth: even advanced systems are vulnerable, and sometimes, the smallest anomaly can trigger the gravest of outcomes.
As India mourns and investigates, one thing remains clear: this tragedy must become a catalyst for transformative change in flight safety, crew training, and aircraft design—for the sake of every passenger who boards a plane with faith in the system.
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