Preliminary investigations into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 have revealed a startling cause: both engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost power moments after takeoff due to the in-flight activation of the fuel cutoff switches. This unexpected shutdown led to a catastrophic loss of thrust, causing the aircraft to crash within less than half a minute after becoming airborne.
The official report indicates that just three seconds after liftoff, the fuel control switches for both engines were moved from the “RUN” position to “CUTOFF” almost simultaneously. This abrupt action immediately cut off the fuel supply, causing both engines to fail. Despite the pilots’ efforts to restart one engine, the power generated was insufficient to maintain controlled flight, and the aircraft crashed 29 seconds after takeoff. Cockpit voice recordings captured a tense exchange between the pilots, with one asking, “Why did you cut off?” and the other replying, “I didn’t do it.” Investigators are baffled by this, as the switches are designed to be secure and resistant to accidental activation. This has raised serious questions about whether the switches were toggled deliberately or inadvertently.
No technical faults or design defects were found in the aircraft or its systems, focusing the investigation on human factors and cockpit procedures. The fact that both fuel cutoff switches moved almost simultaneously suggests either a coordinated action or a severe error under high pressure. The crash has sent shockwaves through the aviation community, prompting a deeper examination of pilot training, cockpit ergonomics, and safety protocols to prevent such incidents. Experts emphasise the importance of understanding how human error or miscommunication can lead to devastating consequences, even with advanced technology onboard. While the preliminary report provides crucial insights, the full investigation is ongoing. A comprehensive final report is expected within a year, which will explore crew behaviour, possible procedural lapses, and recommendations to improve safety measures in commercial aviation.
