Air India Crash Preliminary Report: Both engines cut mid-air, pilot heard saying ‘I didn’t cut off’

The final moments were marked by an attempted engine relight, a "Mayday" call, and total loss of thrust.

The Air India Crash preliminary report has revealed that both engines of the ill-fated Air India AI171 aircraft were shut down mid-air just seconds after takeoff, triggering a total power loss and causing the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly before it even cleared the airport boundary.

According to the preliminary crash report, the aircraft hit its top recorded airspeed of 180 knots (indicated) at around 08:08:42 UTC. Just moments later, the fuel cutoff switches for both Engine 1 and Engine 2 were moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ within one second of each other. This action instantly cut off the fuel supply, causing both engines’ N1 and N2 rotor speeds to fall sharply from takeoff thrust levels.

The crash of Flight AI171, which was headed to London Gatwick, killed over 270 people, including students at a nearby medical college hostel where the plane went down. Only one passenger survived.

The aircraft was airborne for just 32 seconds before it lost altitude and slammed into a building 0.9 nautical miles from the runway, moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport on June 12.

Key findings from the investigation: 

According to the 15-page preliminary report published by AAIB on the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad - 

Fuel supply cut off to both engines mid-air: Fuel switches transitioned from run to cut off within a span of a second leading to cut off of fuel supply to the engines.

Cockpit voice confusion: One pilot is heard asking, “Why did you cutoff?” The other replies, “I didn’t.”

Total power loss: The Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency device that deploys during complete power failure, was activated, as seen on CCTV.

Engine relight failed: Pilots attempted to restart the engines. Engine 1 showed some recovery; Engine 2 failed to sustain power.

Discrepancy in thrust levers: Thrust levers were found in idle at the crash site, but flight data shows takeoff thrust was still engaged, pointing to a possible mechanical or system disconnect.

Clean fuel, clear skies: Investigators ruled out fuel contamination, bird strikes, or weather-related factors.

Pilot credentials cleared: Both were rested, medically fit, and qualified.

No dangerous goods onboard; the aircraft was operating within weight and balance limits.

FAA advisory ignored: A prior safety alert on possible fuel switch flaws in Boeing 787s existed, but Air India had not inspected this aircraft for it.

The final moments were marked by an attempted engine relight, a "Mayday" call, and total loss of thrust.

The crash sequence: Timeline of a tragedy

08:07:37 UTC: Aircraft begins takeoff roll.
08:08:39 UTC: Liftoff confirmed.
08:08:42 UTC: Engines shut down one after another.
08:08:47 UTC: RAT deployed as both engines drop below idle.
08:08:52–08:08:56 UTC: Fuel switches moved back to RUN, relight begins.
08:09:05 UTC: “Mayday” call sent; no further response.
08:09:11 UTC: Data recording ends.
Crash site: 0.9 NM from runway, into a medical college hostel.

Current status of the investigation

Both engines have been retrieved and quarantined.
Wreckage secured for detailed analysis.
Witness statements, including that of the sole survivor, have been recorded.
Post-mortem examinations are being reviewed for aeromedical insights.
Limited fuel residue is being sent for sensitive testing.

So far, no safety advisories have been issued for Boeing 787-8 aircraft or GE GEnx-1B engines.

What’s next

• Both engines have been retrieved and quarantined for forensic analysis.
• Wreckage is secured and being studied.
• Limited fuel samples from the aircraft's APU and wing have been sent for high-sensitivity testing.
• The DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) continue to review black box data, cockpit audio, and post-mortem findings.