Fuel shutdown behind Air India disaster
- By KirshCNL
- July 14, 2025
- Foreign News, News, Political
- Air India flight 171
- 0 Comments
Indian aviation authorities have revealed that both engines of Air India Flight 171 ceased receiving fuel shortly after takeoff, leading to the tragic crash on June 12 that claimed 260 lives, including 19 people on the ground.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India disclosed these findings in its preliminary report released on Saturday, July 12.
According to cockpit voice recordings, the pilots appeared confused when the fuel control switches for both engines flipped to the “cutoff” position during the aircraft’s initial climb.
“Why did you cut it off?” one pilot is heard asking the other in the recording.
“I did not do so,” comes the reply.
Investigators noted that the two switches were moved just seconds apart a sequence aviation safety experts described as highly unusual.
Each switch is designed with a mechanical lock to prevent accidental activation, requiring deliberate action to move them.
The report does not identify any mechanical defects or assign fault to manufacturers. No directives have been issued to Boeing, the maker of the aircraft, or General Electric, which supplied the engines.
The investigation is being led by Indian authorities, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, GE, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In a statement issued on Friday, Air India said it “stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident,” and reaffirmed its commitment to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
