Air India crash: fuel cutoff moment after takeoff, cockpit chaos, ignoring FAA warning – 11 Key points of AAIB preliminary report
Preliminary report on air collapse in India: A month after the fatal crash of an Indian Boeing 787 aircraft in Ahmedabad, which claimed nearly all 242 lives on board and nearly 270 deaths on the ground, both engine investigations showed that both engines shut down for seconds after they were launched due to sudden loss of fuel supplies.
The report, released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau on Saturday, indicated that the cockpit was clearly confused at the moment before the June 12 crash. The conversation captured on the cockpit voice recorder showed that one pilot asked another why the engine was turned off, and the reply appeared: “I didn’t do that.”
After taking off, the London plane crashed almost immediately and crashed near the outer wall of the airport. Only one passenger survived. The reasons for the fuel cutoff are still under investigation, although the report confirms that the retry was conducted shortly before the impact. A complete detection is underway.
(Photo: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau)
Air India B787 crash: 11 key points of AAIB’s preliminary report
Takeoff is normal until the fuel of both engines is suddenly cut off: The plane was taxied from Parking Bay at 7:56 am UTC and received takeoff clearance at 8:07 am. After a few seconds it started rolling down the track and lifted up at 8:08:39 am. Shortly after the plane became airborne, the plane reached a maximum speed of 180 knots. After a moment, both engines’ fuel switches are transferred from “run” to “off” positions within a second of each other, causing the fuel supply to be cut off and causing both engines to lose power.
Thrust lever quadrant and fuel control switch. (Photo: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau)
The sound of the cockpit reveals the chaos of the fuel switch off: In the cockpit recorder, one pilot was captured and asked another why he was cutting off the fuel. Another pilot replied that he did not do so, indicating possible confusion or miscommunication. One pilot asked, “Why did you cut it off?” Another replied, “I didn’t do that.”
The report mentioned that the fuel switch quickly turned back to the “running” position. Engine temperature data showed signs of attempting to restart, but it was too late to recover.
Backup turbine shows early power failure: CCTV footage from the airport shows that RAM empty turbines (rats) were deployed during the initial climb. The device can only be started in the event of a major power failure, which confirms that the engine loses power immediately after takeoff.
Co-pilot aircraft: According to reports, co-pilot Clive Kunder is dealing with control measures while Captain Sumeet Sabharwal is monitoring. Both have undergone good breathing tests.
No problem with fuel, weight or cargo: The aircraft has 54,200 kg of fuel, and its take-off weight is within safety limits. There is no dangerous cargo on board. Weather conditions are not a factor either.
The plane hit the hotel building: The plane hit the hotel at BJ Medical College, just a mile from the runway. It does not send distress signals through the Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). The wreckage is distributed in large areas.
The thrust rod is working, but the switch is flipped: Despite severe fire damage, data show that the thrust rod is still in takeoff mode at the time of impact. But the fuel will turn somehow, cutting off the power. It was later discovered that both were found in the “running” position, raising questions about how they move in the air.
Boeing warned in 2018: In 2018, the U.S. Airline Regulatory Agency (FAA) warned airlines about potential problems with fuel switch locking mechanisms. Air India did not inspect the aircraft for this, saying the warning was not mandatory.
The same switches used in other Boeing jets: The fuel switch model (4TL837-3D) is common on multiple Boeing aircraft, including this 787. Air India replaced the throttle module in 2019 and 2023, but specifically reported any issues with the fuel switch.
Aerial breakup before collapse: The plane hits trees and buildings when it hits the altitude, and is divided into sections before hitting the building. The wings and tails of the engine and main parts were found scattered hundreds of feet, showing how the aircraft collapsed at the last moment.
The aircraft is well maintained: Maintenance records show that the aircraft has no major work. The next major inspection will expire in December 2025. There are some minor issues (such as cockpit and printers), but no issues related to safety or fuel control.
