Tragic Confusion: Air India Crash Linked to Engine Fuel Cutoff, AAIB Preliminary Report Reveals

Take-Off to Crash (Source: TOI)

The preliminary investigation into the fatal crash of Air India flight AI 171 near Ahmedabad has revealed a catastrophic sequence of events that unfolded just seconds after takeoff, resulting in one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent years. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its 15-page preliminary report on the incident, which occurred on June 12, claiming the lives of 260 people, including 241 of 242 onboard, and 19 on the ground. The flight, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was bound for London Gatwick when it crashed into the premises of BJ Medical College, just outside Ahmedabad airport.

According to the AAIB, the accident occurred due to the fuel supply to both engines being cut off within seconds of takeoff. The report states that both engine fuel control switches moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’, one after another, with a gap of merely one second. This action effectively shut off power to both engines mid-air. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured a chilling exchange in which one pilot questioned the other about switching off the fuel supply. The second pilot denied doing so, indicating possible cockpit confusion or miscommunication.

Download 15 Pages Air India Crash Preliminary Report

Though the switches were reportedly turned back on, one of the engines failed to recover, and the aircraft could not maintain flight. The flight lasted approximately 30 seconds from liftoff to impact. Both flight crew members had received adequate rest prior to departure, and fuel samples taken from the bowsers and storage tanks were tested by the DGCA laboratory and found to be within acceptable standards. This ruled out fatigue or fuel contamination as contributing factors.

CCTV footage captured from airport surveillance cameras showed that the aircraft deployed its Ram Air Turbine (RAT) shortly after losing power. The RAT is a small emergency device found on many aircraft, including the 787-8, designed to provide limited power to essential systems when the main engines fail. Normally stowed in the fuselage or wing, the RAT deploys into the airstream either automatically or manually, using airflow to spin its blades, which then drive a hydraulic pump or generator. This provides just enough power to maintain basic flight controls, communication systems, and critical instruments.

Ram air turbine

Although the RAT was deployed as designed, it was insufficient to prevent the crash. The RAT can only provide emergency power—not thrust—and is most effective when the aircraft is moving at high speed through stable air. The storage and deployment mechanism involves a spring-loaded actuator and linkages that optimize its position in clean airflow, even under crosswind conditions. In this case, however, the brief window between power loss and impact left no margin for recovery.

The AAIB noted that, at this preliminary stage, no safety recommendations are being issued to Boeing 787-8 operators or GEnx-1B engine users. However, the investigation is ongoing, and further analysis is expected as more data is collected from relevant stakeholders, including flight system logs and human factor assessments.

Air India, responding to the report, stated that it is fully cooperating with regulatory authorities and the AAIB, and is committed to working closely with all stakeholders to support the ongoing probe. The airline also expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and assured that safety remains its highest priority.

The tragic loss of AI 171 raises serious questions about cockpit procedure, human error, and system design, especially in high-stress moments immediately after takeoff. While the final conclusions of the investigation are still to come, the early findings underscore the critical importance of clarity in cockpit systems, fail-safe protocols, and training to manage rare but high-risk failures. The aviation community, regulators, and the public await further updates as investigators piece together the exact sequence of failures that led to this devastating event.

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)

1. Following the Air India aircraft crash at Ahmedabad airport, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been tasked with conducting a detailed and formal investigation into the incident.

2. The AAIB was established in 2012 as an attached office under the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, to independently handle civil aviation accident investigations in India.

3. Its creation fulfills India’s international obligation under Annex 13 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, 1944, which mandates each member state to ensure independent, unbiased investigations of aircraft accidents.

4. Under its core mandate, the AAIB oversees the technical investigation and administrative work related to aircraft accidents, including assisting the Court or Assessors appointed by the Central Government under the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2017.

5. The bureau is specifically responsible for investigating all accidents and serious incidents involving aircraft with an All-Up Weight (AUW) of more than 2,250 kilograms or those powered by turbojet engines.

   • All-Up Weight (AUW) refers to the total weight of the aircraft at takeoff, including fuel, cargo, passengers, and crew.

6. The AAIB plays a crucial role in enhancing aviation safety by identifying causes, issuing safety recommendations, and ensuring compliance with international standards in post-accident investigations.

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