The preliminary investigation into Air India Flight 171 exposes a crucial in-flight error causing the crash near Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8 lost fuel to both engines just 30 seconds after liftoff, which brought the aircraft down violently into a college hostel, killing 260 people, including bystanders on the ground.
Audio from the cockpit records a tense last conversation asking, “Why did you do the cut off?” with a denial in return. Investigators confirmed the fuel cutoff switches for Engines 1 and 2 switched from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” in rapid succession during climb-out at 180 knots.
Attempts to restart the engines were only partially successful and insufficient to save the flight, which crashed around 1:38 p.m. local time. Typically, fuel cutoffs are done only in emergencies like fires; no engine fire was reported here.
Peter Goelz, former managing director of the NTSB, described the findings as “very disturbing” and noted the current released audio provides only a glimpse of the cockpit exchange. Families remain deeply affected, calling for clear answers.
Air India has yet to make a detailed public statement. Investigators continue analyzing data to determine if the fuel cutoff was deliberate, accidental, or due to mechanical failure. The final report is awaited with eager anticipation.
