Air India Crash Report: This Shocking Detail

Just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed to the ground with 241 people on board – only one survived. The tragic toll of the disaster was compounded by casualties on the ground – the plane struck, among other places, a doctors' hostel, killing 19 people inside. A total of 260 people died.

The document published by the AAIB does not identify those responsible or contain final conclusions, but it sheds new light on the course of the disaster.

Engines stopped. Shocking conclusion from the investigation.

The most shocking information revealed in the report is that both engines were deprived of fuel almost simultaneously – just three seconds after liftoff. Analysis of flight parameters indicates that the fuel controls switched from "on" to "off," resulting in the engines' immediate shutdown. The aircraft reached a takeoff speed of 333 km/h (200 mph) but was unable to continue without power – after a few seconds, it crashed into buildings near the airport.

It's unclear how the controls could have been misaligned. The report doesn't specify whether it was a technical fault or human error. A key element of the tragedy remains unexplained.

Cockpit recordings: dramatic conversation between pilots

The report also includes an analysis of the cockpit voice recorder. Shortly after takeoff, one pilot can be heard panicking and asking the other, "Why did you cut off the fuel supply to the engines?" The other pilot immediately responds, "I didn't do anything of the sort." This indicates that at least one crew member was surprised and confused by the plane's sudden loss of power.

The footage also captured a desperate distress call: "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday" – sent by one of the pilots seconds before the crash. Unfortunately, it was too late.

The crew's experience did not prevent the tragedy

Both the captain and first officer were experienced pilots – each had approximately 19,000 flight hours, including 9,000 on the Boeing 787. This eliminates the possibility of insufficient training or a lack of familiarity with the aircraft. Experts emphasize that the pilots' extensive experience makes it even more puzzling how the fuel supply to both engines could have been cut off.

Experts Concerned: "This Is a Key Issue"

American aviation expert Anthony Brickhouse has no doubt that the answer to the question of the cause of the fuel shutdown is crucial to the entire investigation.

“Did they switch on their own or because of the pilots, and if because of the pilots, why?” Brickhouse asks.

Another prominent aviation expert, John Cox, rules out the possibility of crew members accidentally resetting controls. He considers such a scenario to be simply "impossible." This means that the possibility of a fuel management system failure or a systemic problem should be seriously considered.

No accusations against the producers

The preliminary report contains no accusations or recommendations against the aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, or the manufacturer of the GEnx-1B engines, GE Aerospace. At this stage, investigators also do not indicate any negligence on the part of Air India. All parties—Boeing, GE Aerospace, and the airline itself—have not yet commented on the published report.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States confirmed that it had received the document and that it was "in close cooperation with international partners." However, it did not say whether the FAA planned to take any action regarding the certification of the Dreamliners or their engines.

Still more questions than answers

The AAIB report is just the first step in a long and complex process of investigating the causes of one of the worst aviation disasters in India in recent decades. While many shocking facts have been revealed—such as the simultaneous fuel shutoff and dramatic conversations in the cockpit—critical questions remain unanswered.

Has the system failed? Has a breakdown occurred? Are we perhaps dealing with a previously unknown design or software error? Or perhaps the cause lies elsewhere—in procedures, service, or the user interface?

Also read: Air India Dreamliner encounters mid-air problems. Plane forced to turn back. Also read: Plane landed 300 km from destination. Fuel shortage