An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamy Aircraft recently crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad. Preliminary investigation reports indicate that during the initial phase of flight, both engine fuel control switches were cut off within a second, resulting in a loss of thrust. Although the pilots attempted to restart the fuel control system, the aircraft had already lost control and ultimately crashed into a residential area, leading to the death of 260 people. This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters worldwide in nearly a decade.
The flight departed from Ahmedabad heading to London, with a total of 242 passengers and crew members on board. The crash incident also affected nearby residences on the ground, resulting in 19 fatalities and only one survivor. According to a report from the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the aircraft gradually lost power after taking off, triggering the emergency power system Pressed Air Turbine (RAT) to activate automatically, which indicated that the main engines could not provide sufficient power.
The black box recordings reveal that there was a heated debate in the cockpit at the time of the incident. One pilot questioned the other about why he had shut off the fuel supply, to which the other responded that he did not perform that action. Although the fuel switch was subsequently reopened and there were signs of the engines reigniting, the aircraft’s descent was already beyond recovery.
The report analyzes that both pilots possess extensive flying experience. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, has logged 15,638 flight hours and serves as a flight instructor for Air India. First Officer Clive Kunder, only 32 years old, has also amassed 3,403 flight hours. The report could not determine which pilot executed or issued the command to shut off the fuel switch, nor did it specify who ultimately sent out the final Mayday distress signal.
Aviation experts have expressed skepticism about the root cause of this incident, suggesting that human error may be involved. American aviation safety consultant John Nance pointed out that the two fuel switches were cut off in an extremely short timeframe, which is likely attributable to human intervention rather than a system failure. He emphasized that pilots typically only shut off fuel supply during engine fires or when the aircraft is parked, and such actions would not occur during the takeoff phase.
The report indicates that both fuel switches at the crash site remained in the operational position, suggesting that the crew had attempted to save the aircraft. Experts analyzed that even if the engines were reignited, the optimal moment for rescue had already passed. Throughout the flight, there were no recorded factors that could be interpreted as an emergency shutdown of the fuel supply.
Air India has received the investigation report and stated that it is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities. Although Boeing and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace are also involved in this incident, the preliminary report does not indicate that they bear direct responsibility. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have both expressed their commitment to closely collaborate with Indian authorities to assist in investigating the causes of the accident and addressing potential risks.
Currently, the AAIB is conducting further research into aircraft system records, maintenance records, and pilot operating procedures, aiming to thoroughly uncover the truth behind the incident and determine whether there were any human errors or system flaws.
