Fuel Supply Cut-Off Caused Air India Flight 171 Crash, Probe Reveals
A preliminary investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash, which killed 260 people on June 12, 2025, revealed that the fuel supply cut-off to both engines caused the disaster. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, India, crashed into a residential area near a medical college hostel just 30 seconds after takeoff. Of the 242 passengers and crew on board, only one passenger survived, with 19 others killed on the ground.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report, released on July 12, 2025, found that the fuel control switches, which regulate fuel flow to the engines, moved from “run” to “cutoff” seconds before the crash, starving the engines and causing a catastrophic loss of thrust.
Cockpit voice recordings captured confusion, with one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off the fuel?” and the other responding, “I did not do so,” indicating possible miscommunication or an unintended action. Investigators have not determined whether the fuel supply cut-off was accidental, mechanical, or due to human error, and the pilots’ emergency response remains under scrutiny.
India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, urged caution, stating, “One should not jump into any conclusions on this,” as the investigation continues. The aircraft carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, one Canadian, and 12 crew members.
Following the tragedy, India’s aviation authorities ordered urgent inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet, focusing on takeoff performance, electronic engine control systems, and fuel components. Boeing expressed support, stating it “stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau” and offered condolences to victims’ families.
The fuel supply cut-off mystery deepens as further analysis of flight data and cockpit procedures is expected to clarify the cause.
