A preliminary investigation into the deadly crash of Air India flight AI171 has revealed a chilling cockpit exchange between the pilots, moments before the aircraft lost power and crashed near Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12.
According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report, just seconds before the engines shut down, one pilot asked the other: “Why did you cut off?” — to which the second pilot replied, “I did not.” The statement came from the aircraft’s cockpit voice recording and has become a central element of the ongoing probe.
The report confirms that both engines shut down one second apart, just after the aircraft had reached a top speed of 180 knots, during initial climb. The fuel cutoff switches for both engines were moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” almost simultaneously, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust.
“The aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall,” the report noted, adding that no bird strike or external damage was observed. CCTV footage captured the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploying almost immediately after takeoff, a sign of critical power loss.
Investigators are currently analyzing data from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) to determine the cause of the accidental cutoff. So far, no safety recommendations have been issued for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or the GE GEnx-1B engines.
The report also brings to light a 2018 FAA safety bulletin (SAIB No. NM-18-33), which warned of a potential flaw in fuel control switch locking mechanisms. While advisory and not mandatory, Air India had not conducted the suggested inspections, as the FAA had not classified it as a safety-critical issue. The throttle control module on the ill-fated aircraft had been replaced in 2019 and 2023, but no link to the fuel switches was documented.
Flight AI171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8, crashed minutes after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. It is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history.
The final report is expected in the coming months as investigators continue to examine maintenance records, hardware components, and crew actions.
