Preliminary investigation into the June 12 Dreamliner tragedy in Ahmedabad reveals accidental fuel cutoff and desperate last-minute attempts to regain control.
New Delhi | July 12, 2025 — A month after the horrific Air India plane crash that claimed over 270 lives in Ahmedabad, a preliminary probe has revealed chilling new details from the cockpit voice recorder of the ill-fated Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
According to a 15-page report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) early Saturday, both engines of the London-bound aircraft went from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ mode within seconds of takeoff — effectively cutting off the fuel supply mid-air.
Also Read: Why Air India Plane Crashed?
The final cockpit exchange is haunting.
“Why did you cut off?” one pilot asked.
“I didn’t,” the other replied.
The report indicates that both pilots attempted to restart the engines — flipping the switches back from CUTOFF to RUN — a procedure which activates the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) for relight and thrust recovery. But tragically, the flight data recorder went dark just moments later.
Within seconds, a MAYDAY call was made. Air traffic controllers attempted to respond but received no reply. Seconds later, they saw the aircraft plunge from the sky and crash outside the airport boundary.
Crash Timeline and Impact
- Flight duration: Only 32 seconds after takeoff.
- Impact site: A hostel for medical students near the airport perimeter.
- Fatalities: 241 of 242 passengers on board; at least 30 people on the ground.
The aircraft, fully loaded with fuel, exploded on impact, creating a fireball that engulfed the building. The sole survivor remains in critical condition.
Also Read: Air India Crash Probe Focuses on Suspected Dual Engine Failure in Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Pilots and Preliminary Findings
- Captain Sumeet Sabharwal: Line Training Captain with 8,200 flying hours.
- First Officer Clive Kundar: 1,100 hours of experience.
- Both were well-rested and medically cleared for duty.
The AAIB ruled out sabotage but flagged an FAA advisory issued for Boeing 737 aircraft, warning of fuel control switches with disengaged locking features — potentially allowing unintended movement. Although not classified as an “unsafe condition,” it is being closely examined.
CCTV footage confirmed the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) — an emergency power generator — indicating a catastrophic systems failure immediately after liftoff.
No Bird Strike, No External Interference
The report states no bird activity or foreign object debris was detected in the vicinity. The aircraft began losing altitude before even crossing the perimeter wall of the airport.
A similar 1980s case involving Delta Air Lines was cited — where a Boeing 767 pilot also mistakenly cut fuel to both engines but successfully restarted them due to higher altitude and time.
As investigators continue to piece together the full sequence of failures, families of the victims await answers — and accountability — in one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades.
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