Ahmedabad: The Air India crash probe is examining whether a critical decision by the flight’s captain may have caused the deadly crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 that killed 260 people on board and on the ground.
According to people familiar with early evidence, a cockpit voice recording indicates the captain moved the engine fuel switches to ‘cutoff’ shortly after liftoff, leaving the aircraft without thrust.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder. Reports show that the first officer, who was flying the plane, asked the captain why the fuel switches were cut, but the captain’s response remains under review.
Air India has completed inspections of its entire Boeing 787-8 fleet, confirming the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanisms are all fully functional.https://t.co/LjGgMhIGfZ#AirIndia #Boeing787 #airindiaplanecrash #AvGeek pic.twitter.com/pfI7s5sm5j
— AviationSource (@AvSourceNews) July 17, 2025
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s preliminary report has confirmed that both fuel switches flipped from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’ a second apart. Closed-circuit footage also revealed that a backup turbine deployed immediately, showing that the engines lost power just after takeoff.
Investigators believe the lack of fuel caused the engines to fail, leading the plane to lose altitude rapidly. Although the crew turned the fuel switches back to ‘run,’ the aircraft was too low and slow to recover. The plane clipped trees and structures before crashing into a building at a nearby medical college campus, resulting in significant loss of life.
Experts stress that while pilot error appears central, multiple factors often contribute to major air disasters. Aviation analysts say the Air India crash probe will take months to confirm all possible causes. The probe has renewed discussions about adding cockpit cameras to improve investigation clarity.
Meanwhile, India’s aviation regulator and Air India’s leadership have assured the public that maintenance procedures were followed and that no mechanical faults have been found. Boeing and GE have also stated that the fuel switch design remains safe.
Under global aviation rules, a final report on the Air India crash probe is expected within a year.
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