The Air India plane crash that killed 260 people last month is still under deep investigation, airline CEO Campbell Wilson said in an internal memo on Monday. His remarks came shortly after a preliminary report was released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India, revealing alarming cockpit confusion and sudden engine shutdowns.
“It would be unwise to draw any final conclusions at this stage,” Wilson stated, stressing that while the report offers new details, many questions remain unanswered.
What Happened: The Key Findings from the Preliminary Report
The Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was on its way from Ahmedabad to London on June 12 when it crashed just 30 seconds after takeoff, killing nearly all onboard. Only one passenger survived.
According to the AAIB’s initial findings:
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Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel switches were moved from RUN to CUTOFF nearly simultaneously.
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This action cut off fuel supply to both engines, causing a sudden loss of thrust.
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The aircraft began to sink immediately after reaching its top speed.
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The crew tried to reset the switches to RUN, but the plane was already too low to recover.
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The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cut the fuel?” — to which the second pilot responded, “I didn’t.”
No Mechanical Faults Found, Yet Mystery Deepens
The report found no evidence of technical or maintenance issues with the aircraft. All required checks were carried out before the flight. The engines, made by GE, also showed no immediate concerns. Neither Boeing nor GE were issued any recommendations at this stage.
Aviation analyst Terry Tozer called the sequence of events “bizarre,” stating:
“Engine cutoff switches being turned off seconds after takeoff is highly unusual. The aircraft simply didn’t have time to recover.”
Global Aviation Impact: Fuel Switches Under Review
In response, South Korea’s aviation authority has ordered all airlines to inspect Boeing fuel switches, and Air India is reviewing its entire fleet of Dreamliners.
India’s Civil Aviation Minister Urges Patience
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, India’s Civil Aviation Minister, reminded the public that these are initial findings.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. The final report will give the full picture.”
Air India Pledges Full Cooperation
In an official statement, Air India confirmed its full support of the ongoing investigation:
“We are working closely with the AAIB and all relevant authorities to understand what happened and ensure it never happens again.”
Tragic Toll: Victims and Nationalities
The crash claimed 260 lives, including:
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169 Indians
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53 British nationals
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7 Portuguese citizens
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1 Canadian
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12 crew members
The tragedy also resulted in the deaths of 19 people on the ground, making it one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s history.
What’s Next in the Investigation?
The final report will aim to uncover:
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How the fuel cutoff switches were triggered
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Whether cockpit errors or system failures played a role
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Why the crew couldn’t recover control in time
Until then, aviation regulators and safety agencies worldwide will continue to monitor and respond to potential implications for Boeing 787 aircraft operations.
