Air India crash report reveals cockpit confusion over engine fuel switches

Saturday 12 July 2025 - 08:37

A preliminary investigation into last month’s devastating Air India crash has shed light on critical confusion in the cockpit moments before the aircraft went down, killing all 260 people on board.

According to the report released by Indian aviation authorities on Saturday, both engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost power shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London. The engines were starved of fuel when their cutoff switches were activated almost simultaneously — a highly unusual event that left investigators puzzled.

Despite both pilots being experienced, the report highlights a disturbing lack of clarity over the switch movements. It remains uncertain how or why the fuel shutoff mechanisms were engaged. At one point, one pilot was heard asking the other why the fuel had been cut off — a chilling detail that underscores the disarray in the cockpit during the critical moments leading up to the crash.

This incident now ranks as the deadliest aviation accident in the world in over a decade, prompting urgent calls for deeper investigation into training protocols, cockpit design, and aircraft systems.

Boeing has acknowledged the report and stated that it is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

A final report, which will include detailed analysis from the aircraft’s black box data and further expert assessments, is expected in the coming months.