On June 12, 2025, a heartbreaking aviation tragedy unfolded when Air India Flight AI-171, bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft—a Boeing 787 Dreamliner—went down within half a minute of becoming airborne, slamming into a nearby medical hostel. The crash killed 260 people, including 19 on the ground, leaving only one survivor—a British citizen named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
⚠️ Fuel Cutoff Triggered Disaster
Investigators from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a 15-page initial report, identifying a sudden and critical event: the fuel control switches for both engines were found in the “OFF” position shortly after liftoff. This action caused both engines to shut down mid-air. The switches were turned back on, and one engine tried to restart—but it was too late to regain control or altitude.
🎧 What the Cockpit Recordings Reveal
The black box recording revealed a disturbing conversation between the pilots:
“Why did you cut off?”
“I did not do so.”
This exchange occurred just moments before the pilots issued a desperate "MAYDAY" signal. Both pilots were seasoned professionals—Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had over 15,000 flying hours, while First Officer Clive Kunder had logged 3,400 hours. Despite their experience, they seemed unaware of how or why the fuel was cut.
❌ No External Threats Detected
The investigation ruled out bird strikes, poor weather, or sabotage. All maintenance checks before the flight, including fuel quality tests, had been properly completed. The report also found no signs of foul play or interference from outside the cockpit.
🧩 Design Concerns & Old Warnings
The aircraft's fuel switches are built with safety guards to prevent accidental shutoff. However, a 2018 U.S. aviation bulletin had warned airlines about the possibility of such switches becoming unintentionally disengaged. Since it wasn’t a mandatory directive, Air India did not implement extra inspections related to it.
🔍 What's Next?
This early report raises more questions than answers. Was it a mechanical flaw, human error, or something more complex? The final report, expected in a few months, will go deeper into flight systems, cockpit actions, and any past issues with this aircraft model. Aviation experts say the scenario is “highly unusual,” especially since both engines shut down almost simultaneously.
📝 Final Words
This tragic incident shows how even minor disruptions in the cockpit can have devastating consequences. As the world waits for the complete findings, families of the victims—and the aviation community—are seeking closure and changes that will ensure something like this never happens again.
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