One month after an Air India flight crashed and killed over 200 people, investigators on Saturday revealed the fuel to both engines of the Boeing 787 plane had been mysteriously cut off prior to the incident.
The fuel switches went from their “run” to “cutoff” positions, leading to the plane’s quick descent, according to a 15-page preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The switches have locking mechanisms to prevent the pilots from accidentally activating them. However, based on the report’s findings, it appears neither of the pilots were responsible.
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off” the fuel, the report states. “The other pilot responded that he did not do so.”
The fuel cutoff switches were turned off “one after another” about one second apart, per the report. But by then, it was already too late. “The aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall,” the document reads.
The crash occurred on June 12, with the plane going down shortly after taking off from the runway. Nearly all 242 passengers and crew members aboard Air India Flight 171 died, except one.
Nineteen others died on the ground, the report says, after the Boeing 787 passenger jet crashed on the campus of a nearby medical college.
The preliminary assessment did not arrive at a definitive conclusion, as the investigation remains ongoing.
The report said “there are no recommended actions” to the aircraft and engine manufacturers, Boeing and GE Aerospace, suggesting the underlying problem wasn’t a mechanical failure or design flaw.
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“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 Indian airline said in a statement after receiving the report early Saturday.
“Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully cooperate with the [Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau] and other authorities as their investigation progresses,” the company added without commenting on specific details, “given the active nature of the investigation.”