Cockpit confusion, pilot exchange deepen mystery as probe continues into crash that killed 260
A preliminary investigation into the deadly Air India crash last month has revealed cockpit confusion over the position of critical engine fuel cutoff switches, moments before the aircraft lost power and plunged to the ground, killing 260 people.
The report, released early Saturday morning by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), sheds light on the final moments of Flight AI-117, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London from Ahmedabad, which crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. It is now the world’s deadliest aviation disaster in more than a decade.
According to the 30-day preliminary findings, the aircraft’s fuel control switches — which regulate the flow of fuel to the engines — were flipped from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUT OFF’ within seconds of departure, starving both engines of power. The incident occurred just as the aircraft began climbing out of Ahmedabad, resulting in an immediate loss of thrust.
The AAIB report stated that closed-circuit footage from the airport showed a backup energy device — the ram air turbine — deploying seconds after takeoff, confirming engine failure. In the cockpit, the voice recorder captured a chilling exchange. One pilot asked, “Why did you do the cut-off?” to which the other replied, “I didn’t.”
The report does not attribute the remarks to either of the two pilots, nor does it identify which of them issued the desperate “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” call moments before impact. However, it raises questions over how such vital switches could have been moved — particularly as experts note they are designed specifically to prevent accidental operation.
Experienced crew, but no clarity
The ill-fated aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, a veteran pilot and instructor with over 15,600 flying hours, including more than 8,500 on the Boeing 787. His first officer, Clive Kunder, 32, had amassed more than 3,400 flying hours, of which 1,128 were on the Dreamliner.
Both pilots were based in Mumbai and had arrived in Ahmedabad the previous day, with the report confirming they had received adequate rest and passed mandatory breathalyser tests before the flight. Kunder was at the controls during takeoff, while Sabharwal was monitoring.
Despite this, the two fuel cutoff switches were recorded to have been flipped within a one-second interval — an action that experts say typically requires deliberate effort. Aviation analyst John Nance noted that the process involves a two-step mechanism: lifting each switch before moving it down to the “cutoff” position. “A pilot would never turn off both engines during climb,” he said.
The switches were later found in the “RUN” position at the crash site, with indications both engines attempted to relight before the aircraft made its fatal descent. The report did not suggest any emergency situation that could have warranted the shutdown.
No indication of mechanical faults
The AAIB stopped short of blaming the aircraft or its systems, instead implying that neither Boeing nor the engine manufacturer GE Aerospace had any apparent responsibility in the tragedy. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is assisting the investigation, noted the report recommended no changes to operations of Boeing 787s or GE engines.
Boeing said it is continuing to support the probe, while GE Aerospace has yet to issue a statement. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it would “follow the facts wherever they lead.”
Air India under scrutiny
The incident is a major setback for Tata Group, which assumed control of Air India in 2022 and has since launched an aggressive campaign to overhaul the airline’s ageing fleet and restore its global reputation. In the wake of the crash, scrutiny of Air India and its subsidiaries has intensified.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced it would launch its own investigation into Air India Express, following reports that the budget airline failed to replace engine parts on an Airbus A320 in time and submitted falsified compliance records. India’s aviation watchdog has also reprimanded Air India for flying aircraft with overdue safety checks and violating pilot duty regulations.
Analysts say the crash is a grim reminder of the complexities involved in human-machine interaction in modern aviation. With both the cockpit voice recordings and black box data now recovered, the focus will inevitably shift to the psychological state and decision-making of the crew in those crucial moments.
“This report tells us what happened,” said one aviation expert. “But we still don’t know why it happened — and whether it was human error, systemic failure, or something more sinister.”
Human factors at play?
Though the report refrains from drawing any firm conclusions, it notes the lack of any technical issue or mechanical failure that could have caused the shutdown. Investigators are expected to explore all possibilities, including the pilots’ personal circumstances — a standard part of crash inquiries when deliberate action is not immediately ruled out.
“It’s a dreadful thought,” said aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse, “but the possibility of intentional action must be considered in such scenarios.”