NEW DELHI, July 12 – A preliminary investigation into last month’s tragic crash of an Air India 787 Dreamliner has unveiled significant confusion between the pilots regarding the aircraft’s engine fuel switches, which may have led to a dual engine failure shortly after takeoff. The fatal accident, which occurred on June 12 and resulted in the deaths of 260 people, is now considered the deadliest aviation disaster in the past decade.
The flight was en route to London from Ahmedabad when it began to lose thrust just moments after takeoff. According to the findings released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the aircraft’s engine fuel cutoff switches were mysteriously flipped almost simultaneously from the “run” to the “cutoff” position. This caused both engines to lose access to fuel, leading to an abrupt and devastating power failure.
Closed-circuit television footage from the airport revealed that a backup energy device known as a ram air turbine had deployed immediately after the plane became airborne, signaling a complete loss of engine power. As the recording neared its end, one of the pilots asked the other why the fuel supply had been shut off. The response was immediate denial, with both pilots seemingly unaware of who initiated the critical action.
Fuel Switch Mystery Raises Safety Questions
The incident has raised serious concerns regarding the placement and operation of the engine fuel switches, which are essential to aircraft control. Aviation experts assert that the fuel switches are designed in a way that makes unintentional activation highly unlikely. These switches are primarily used on the ground, such as after the aircraft has reached its parking bay, or in certain emergency scenarios like engine fires.
The report noted that the two switches shifted just a second apart, about the time it would take someone to flip them one after the other by hand. There was no indication of an onboard emergency requiring such action, adding to the mystery. Remarkably, upon recovering the aircraft wreckage, both fuel switches were found back in the “run” position, and data suggested an attempt to relight the engines moments before impact.
The commanding pilot, Sumeet Sabharwal, aged 56, had over 15,000 hours of flight experience and also served as an instructor for Air India. The co-pilot, Clive Kunder, 32, had logged more than 3,400 flying hours. Despite their experience, the cockpit exchange recorded on the black box indicated a breakdown in communication at a critical time. It remains unclear which of the two pilots transmitted the distress call “Mayday” before the crash.
The report has not yet drawn any conclusions about whether the switch movements were due to a mechanical failure, inadvertent human action, or some other unknown factor. Authorities continue to examine the cockpit design and switch layout to determine if improvements or adjustments are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
India’s Aviation Ambitions Tested
This tragedy poses a serious obstacle to Tata Group’s ongoing efforts to improve Air India’s public perception and modernize its operations, following its acquisition from the Indian government in 2022. The Dreamliner crash casts a shadow over these reform efforts, which aim to make Air India a competitive global player.
In light of the initial findings, Air India stated it is extending full support to the investigation and remains engaged with the authorities throughout the process. However, the airline refrained from issuing detailed comments until the investigation is complete.
Investigators confirmed that all necessary airworthiness directives and technical bulletins had been adhered to for both the aircraft and its engines prior to the accident. The plane had reached an altitude of about 650 feet before it began losing lift. Moments later, it descended rapidly, struck several obstacles including trees and a chimney, and ultimately crashed into a building in a fiery explosion.
The AAIB has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation, with the participation of international aviation bodies. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board expressed appreciation for the collaboration but did not suggest any immediate safety recommendations for the Boeing 787 aircraft or its engines, manufactured by GE Aerospace.
The black box recorders, which include both cockpit voice and flight data, were successfully retrieved and analyzed by Indian authorities shortly after the accident. The data retrieved from them is proving essential in piecing together what happened before the aircraft went down.
In a related development, India’s aviation sector is coming under increased scrutiny following a separate report indicating procedural lapses by a low-cost airline involving falsified maintenance records and delays in implementing mandatory part replacements on a different aircraft model.
Despite the setbacks, the Indian government remains committed to turning the country into a global aviation hub. Plans are underway to expand airport infrastructure, boost airline capacity, and generate employment within the aviation sector. However, ensuring safety and regaining public trust will be essential if these ambitions are to be realized.