The preliminary investigation conducted by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the June 12 Air India Boeing 787 flight crash has revealed that both engines of the plane had shut down mid-air within seconds of take-off.
The report said: “The aircraft achieved the maximum recorded airspeed of 180 Knots IAS at about 08:08:42 UTC and immediately thereafter, the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec. The Engine N1 and N2 began to decrease from their take-off values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off.”
Pilots and their confusion
The report mentioned the cockpit voice recording showed one of the pilots is heard asking the other, ‘why did he cutoff’.
“The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” the report said.
The report further said: “As per the EAFR, the Engine 1 fuel cutoff switch transitioned from CUTOFF to RUN at about 08:08:52 UTC. The APU Inlet Door began opening at about 08:08:54 UTC, consistent with the APU Auto Start logic. Thereafter at 08:08:56 UTC the Engine 2 fuel cutoff switch also transitions from CUTOFF to RUN.”
The report further said: “When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN while the aircraft is inflight, each engines full authority dual engine control (FADEC) automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction.”
“The EGT was observed to be rising for both engines indicating relight. Engine 1’s core deceleration stopped, reversed and started to progress to recovery. Engine 2 was able to relight but could not arrest core speed deceleration and re-introduced fuel repeatedly to increase core speed acceleration and recovery. The EAFR recording stopped at 08:09:11 UTC,” the report mentioned, sharing details about the aviation tragedy that left India shocked.
The June 12 incident marked one of the worst aviation mishaps recorded in India’s history.
The report indicated that no immediate evidence was found that suggested there was a possible sabotage angle to the mishap.
Air India responds
Air India said it would continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities in the investigation process.
Air India posted on X: “Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time.”
The Tata Group-owned airlines said: “We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) today, 12 July 2025. Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses.”
Ahmedabad plane crash
On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing Dreamliner flight crashed into a medical college hostel soon after takeoff near the Ahmedabad airport, killing 275 people, including on-ground people.
Two hundred and forty-one out of 242 onboard passengers and crew members were killed in the crash, which is one of the country’s worst aviation tragedies.
One person, the passenger of seat No. 11A, survived the crash miraculously.
