A preliminary investigation has found that both engines of Air India Flight AI‑171 shut down within one second of each other shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, leading to a crash that killed 260 people and left only one survivor.
The Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner was en route to London Gatwick when the incident occurred. Moments after liftoff at approximately 1:38 PM IST, the fuel control switches for both engines moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” in rapid succession, causing the aircraft to lose all thrust just seconds into its ascent.
The aircraft crashed into a hostel complex near the airport within 32 seconds of takeoff. The impact and subsequent fire resulted in the deaths of all but one of the 242 people onboard, along with 19 fatalities on the ground. Dozens more sustained injuries.
Cockpit voice recordings captured confusion among the flight crew, with one pilot heard asking why the fuel had been cut off, while the other denied initiating the shutdown. A distress call was issued moments before the crash.
The automatic deployment of the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine confirmed the complete loss of engine power. Despite emergency systems activating as designed, the aircraft was too low and slow to recover.
Investigators have not yet determined whether the fuel switch movement was due to human error, mechanical failure, or a systemic malfunction. The switches are designed to require deliberate manual action, making unintentional activation unlikely.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau emphasized that no faults have been found in the engines or fuel systems, and no safety recommendations have been issued yet. U.S. agencies, including the National Transportation Safety Board, along with Boeing and GE, are supporting the ongoing investigation.
A full report is expected within a year. In the meantime, India’s aviation regulator has increased oversight of Air India’s Dreamliner fleet and ordered inspections of all similar aircraft.
The crash marks the deadliest accident involving a Boeing 787 and has raised serious concerns about cockpit procedures and aircraft safety systems.
