<div>The preliminary investigation into the crash of Air India Flight 171 has revealed that the aircraft's engines were deliberately or mistakenly shut down within one second of each other shortly after takeoff, leading to a catastrophic loss of power and the deaths of 270 people.</div>
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<div>According to the report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had just reached its maximum airspeed, approximately 333 km/ph speed when both fuel control switches were shifted from the &ldquo;RUN&rdquo; to the &ldquo;CUTOFF&rdquo; position. The first engine lost fuel, and just one second later, the second engine followed. The twin loss of thrust triggered a rapid descent.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Within moments, the flight crew attempted to restore engine function by returning the switches to the &ldquo;RUN&rdquo; position. The aircraft&rsquo;s automated system initiated a relight. One engine began recovering but could not provide enough power in time to prevent the crash. The second engine failed to restart entirely.</div>
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<div>The incident occurred on June 12, just seconds after Flight 171 departed from Ahmedabad on its scheduled route to London to Gatwick. The aircraft lost altitude almost immediately, crashing into a nearby residential area. Among the 270 dead were 241 people with only one British national survivor onboard.&nbsp;</div>
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<div>Voice recordings from the cockpit captured a brief exchange between the pilots, with one questioning why the engines had been cut off and the other denying having done so. The cause of the fuel switch activation whether accidental or intentional remains under investigation.</div>
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<div>Notably, the report found no mechanical faults with the aircraft or its engines. Both Boeing and engine maker General Electric have been cleared of technical liability at this stage.</div>
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<div>Though a 2018 FAA advisory had highlighted the possibility of unintentional fuel switch movement under specific conditions, compliance with that advisory was not mandatory and had not been implemented in this aircraft.</div>
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<div>The AAIB continues to investigate cockpit procedures, crew performance, and potential systemic failures. International agencies, including the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), are assisting with the inquiry.</div>

Engines lost thrust just after takeoff; timing of fuel cutoff under scrutiny

1 second gap in engines CUT OFF; crashed at least 270 lives

Engines lost thrust just after takeoff; timing of fuel cutoff under scrutiny

July 12, 2025 | 18:09 IST