A recent preliminary investigation into the tragic Air India plane crash has revealed that a sudden disruption in the engine fuel supply may have caused the deadly incident. The flight, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 12, killing 260 people, including individuals on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
Fuel Supply Error Identified
According to a report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s engine fuel cutoff switches were flipped mid-air, cutting off fuel to the engines. It remains unclear whether the switches were triggered manually or through a malfunction.
Black box data revealed that the aircraft reached an airspeed of 180 knots before both engines lost fuel—just one second apart. Although the cockpit voice recording captured one pilot questioning why the switches were flipped, the other pilot denied doing so. The switches were soon flipped back to the correct position, and the engines began to restart, but the process was not fast enough to avoid the crash.
On a 787, the fuel cutoff switches are located between the pilot seats, safeguarded by metal bars and a locking mechanism to prevent accidental activation. Experts note that these switches are deliberately designed to avoid unintended movement, making such incidents extremely rare.
Emergency Systems Triggered
Airport surveillance showed the Ram Air Turbine—a backup power source—deploying as the plane initially climbed. Moments later, the aircraft began to descend rapidly before crashing into the BJ Medical College and Hospital hostel, resulting in fatalities both onboard and on the ground.
According to the report, once the fuel control switches are moved back to the “RUN” position mid-flight, the plane’s dual-engine control system automatically initiates a restart sequence. Unfortunately, before full thrust was restored, a distress call—“MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY”—was issued, followed by silence as the plane disappeared from radar.
No Signs of External Failure
Investigators found no mechanical faults in the aircraft’s engines or systems. The plane’s fuel quality was confirmed to be satisfactory, and the takeoff weight, flap settings, and landing gear positions were all in accordance with standard procedures. Additionally, the engines had been recently installed—one in March, the other in May.
The flight’s captain had over 15,000 hours of flying experience, and the co-pilot had clocked more than 3,400 hours. The report suggests no evidence of bird strikes or external interference near the flight path.
Families Demand Accountability
In the wake of the findings, grieving relatives of the victims are demanding justice. Naresh Maheswari, who lost his son in the crash, called for a neutral and thorough investigation, emphasizing the need to hold accountable anyone responsible for such a fatal oversight. Another relative, Niraj Patel, urged the government to enforce stricter aviation safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
A Nation in Mourning
Air India, which confirmed receipt of the preliminary findings, expressed its condolences. The airline pledged ongoing support for affected families and continued cooperation with the investigation.
“This is a moment of great sorrow for our nation,” Air India posted on X. “We stand united with all those impacted by this devastating accident.”
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