Not Just AAIB Findings, TAC Report Pointed At Fuel Supply Disruption In Air India AI171 Crash

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has released its preliminary findings into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, confirming that both engine fuel control switches on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were moved to the CUTOFF position moments after take-off, effectively shutting down the aircraft's only power source. The crash, which occurred on June 12, claimed 260 lives - 241 on board and 19 on the ground.

The AAIB's report substantiates key technical findings previously highlighted by The Air Current (TAC), a subscription-based aviation news service, which cited sources close to the ongoing investigation as saying that analysis of the aircraft's cockpit voice and flight data recorders had narrowed the probe to the movement of the engine fuel switches.

What the AAIB Found

According to the preliminary report, the aircraft lifted off from Ahmedabad airport at 13:38 IST. Just four seconds into the flight, both engines began shutting down. Both fuel control switches - one for each of the General Electric GEnx-1B engines - were moved from RUN to CUTOFF within a one-second interval, an action that triggered a cascading systems failure.

"Why did you cut off (fuel)?" one pilot was heard asking on the cockpit voice recorder. The other responded, "I did not do it." The report does not identify which pilot made which statement, and investigators have yet to determine if the switch movements were manual, accidental, or due to a technical fault.

CCTV footage corroborated the shutdown, capturing deployment of the aircraft's Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup power generator, seconds after takeoff - confirming total engine failure. The RAT, however, only powers essential flight systems and not the landing gear or full electrical suite.

Despite an emergency "Mayday" call at 13:39 IST, the aircraft crashed 32 seconds after takeoff into a student hostel near BJ Medical College.

No Mechanical Red Flags - Yet

The investigators so far have found no evidence pointing to fuel contamination, bird strike, flap misconfiguration, or hazardous cargo. The aircraft was deemed airworthy with its certification valid until 2026. Both engines were newly installed earlier in 2025.

Importantly, the 787's design - including stop-locks and guarded brackets on the fuel switches - is meant to prevent unintentional switch movement. A 2018 FAA advisory had warned of possible disengagement of these locks. However, the advisory was categorized as non-mandatory, and according to the AAIB, Air India had not incorporated the recommendation.

Sources told TAC that the absence of any urgent airworthiness directives or advisories (known as MOMs or CANICs) from Boeing, GE, or the FAA in the 30 days since the crash suggests that a systemic design flaw is not suspected at this stage.

Spotlight on the Fuel Control Module

Both the AAIB and TAC underline that the fuel control module, located beneath the throttles in the cockpit, is a central focus of the investigation. These guarded switches are designed to be moved only during engine start-up or shutdown, and movement in mid-flight is considered highly abnormal - and in this case, catastrophic.

A 787's flight data recorder logs the exact position, timing, and sequencing of switch movements. Analysis of this data will be key to establishing whether the movement was accidental, commanded by the flight crew, or triggered by a malfunction. Sources cited by TAC caution that it may take months to determine the root cause.

TAC elaborates that these switches are located in the fuel control module beneath the throttle, and are designed to be moved only under specific conditions-on the ground during engine start/shutdown or in-flight during emergency engine shutdowns.

Both AAIB and TAC agree that movement of the engine fuel control switches is the central and critical event leading to the crash.

Unprecedented Tragedy for the Dreamliner

Flight AI171's crash is the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 - the manufacturer's most advanced widebody aircraft. The tragedy has raised global scrutiny over crew procedures, cockpit ergonomics, and the adequacy of Air India's response to previous safety recommendations.

Criticism has also been levelled at the AAIB and India's Ministry of Civil Aviation for inconsistent communication and lack of verified public disclosures in the days following the crash, leaving an information vacuum that has been filled with speculation, some of it driven by AI-generated misinformation.
Next Steps

Investigators are expected to analyze whether the switch locks could have been disengaged accidentally or failed under certain cockpit conditions. In parallel, regulators and Boeing are watching closely to see if broader fleet-wide safety advisories become necessary.

For now, the AAIB's preliminary report sets a factual baseline, but offers no conclusions. As per ICAO protocol, the report includes only established facts and not interpretations or probable causes.

The full investigation - including input from Boeing, GE Aerospace, the FAA, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) - will continue for several more months.