The Air Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report into the crash of Air India Flight 171 provided the first official account of the disaster that claimed 260 lives after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, 2025.
The report was issued a month after the incident. Here are the key findings and what they mean:
What caused the accident?
Both engine fuel switches “move from the RUN position to the CUTOFF position one at a time with a time gap of .01 second,” approximately three seconds after the aircraft lifts off the ground. This immediately cut off the fuel supply to both engines, causing a loss of power and thus lift. However, the report did not specify why the switches moved, whether it was due to human action, mechanical failure, or electronic malfunction. This answer to this question remains decisive in attributing error.
What possible causes have been ruled out?
Several factors have now been eliminated:
- Weather: Good flying conditions with light winds and clear skies
- Bird collision: No evidence in CCTV footage or physical examination
- Aircraft configuration: The flaps are set correctly, and the landing gear retracts normally
- Weight and Balance: Within normal operating limits
- Fuel quality: Airport samples tested are satisfactory
- Engine Problems: Both engines operate normally until a fuel cutoff
Does this mean the pilot is responsible?
We don’t know that yet. The audio recording shows that one of the pilots asked the other why the fuel was cut off, and the colleague replied in the negative. The report does not rule out error or human action, but it indicates that the fuel cut may have been unintentional.
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What happened in the cockpit?
First Officer Clive Conder was the pilot flying while Captain Sumit Sabharwal looked on – a standard practice where the junior pilot flies and the senior captain supervises. The report provides only paraphrased communications related to the fuel cut-off switch: “One pilot was heard asking the other why I cut off fuel. The other pilot responded that I did not.” It does not give the full text.
Did the crew manage to recover the plane?
The pilots made a valiant attempt to save the plane. Within 10 to 14 seconds of cutting off fuel, they moved both switches back to the “RUN” position. Both engines initiated a restart sequence, with Engine 1 showing signs of recovery, and Engine 2 attempting a restart.
However, recovery was ultimately impossible due to insufficient time and altitude. At an altitude of only 625 feet when the engines shut down, the restart procedure needed much more than the 29 seconds available before impact. Jet engines typically require several minutes and higher altitudes to successfully restart.
Were there any problems with the plane?
The VT-ANB has a clean maintenance record with no fuel control switch defects since 2023. All inspections were current with airworthy certificates.
But a 2018 FAA Bulletin (SAIB No. NM-18-33) addressed potential problems with the fuel control switch lockout mechanism on Boeing aircraft, including the 787. It was issued after reports that a 737 fuel switch was installed with lockout features disconnected.
Read also: “The Final Test”: A First Responder’s Account of the Ahmedabad AI Plane Crash
What did the consultation about keys cover?
The 2018 FAA Bulletin relates to fuel control switch locking mechanisms that prevent unintended movement. When separated, the keys can move more easily through vibration, contact, or other factors. The FAA did not mandate any repairs, only recommended inspections to ensure proper lock engagement.
What’s next?
The findings of this preliminary report could change as more evidence emerges. A final report outlining the possible cause and safety recommendations has not yet been issued.
HT reported earlier in the week that AAIB was awaiting analysis of the engine, which delayed the final report. Instead, the investigating body is expected to issue an interim statement on Friday, which will mark one year since the disaster, to fulfill its obligations under international aviation agreements.
