“Why did the engines STOP mid-air?” 😱 Air India Flight 171’s tragic crash left 260 lives lost and one haunting question: who—or what—cut the fuel just seconds after takeoff? The chilling cockpit audio will leave you speechless.
👉 Want answers? Uncover the mystery here:

The Unresolved Mystery of Air India Flight 171: Engine Shutdown and a Haunting Cockpit Clue

Introduction

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, India, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground. The sole survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, escaped through an emergency exit, but the tragedy remains one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. A preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released on July 8, 2025, revealed a chilling detail: both engines lost thrust when their fuel control switches were moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” seconds after liftoff, causing a catastrophic loss of power. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured a haunting exchange—one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” and the other replying, “I didn’t.” This article explores the circumstances of the crash, the mystery of the engine shutdown, the ongoing investigation, and the broader implications for aviation safety.

The Crash: A Timeline of Tragedy

At 1:38 p.m. IST (08:08 UTC) on June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 13 children and two infants, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787-8, delivered to Air India in 2014, was equipped with two General Electric GEnx-1B70 engines, each with 28,000 to 33,000 operating hours and recently installed. The flight, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (15,638 flight hours, 8,596 on the 787) and First Officer Clive Kunder (3,403 flight hours, 1,128 on the 787), appeared routine until seconds after liftoff.

CCTV footage showed the aircraft reaching 650 feet before rapidly descending. At 08:08:42 UTC, just three seconds after liftoff, the fuel control switches for both engines were moved to “CUTOFF,” starving the engines of fuel. A ram air turbine (RAT), a backup power source, deployed, indicating a total power loss. The pilots attempted to restore fuel by returning the switches to “RUN,” triggering an automatic engine relight. One engine began regaining thrust, but the other had not yet recovered power. At 08:09 UTC, a desperate “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” call was transmitted, but there was no response from air traffic control. The aircraft crashed into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College, 1.5 kilometers from the runway, exploding into flames and destroying five buildings. The crash killed 260 people, including 19 on the ground, and injured 67 others.

The Cockpit Mystery: “Why Did You Cut Off?”

The AAIB’s preliminary report, supported by data from the flight data recorder (FDR) and CVR, pinpointed the engine shutdown as the primary cause. The fuel control switches, located on the cockpit’s center console, are designed with safeguards—a metal stop-lock mechanism and brackets—to prevent accidental movement. Moving a switch to “CUTOFF” requires a deliberate action: lifting the switch before toggling it. Yet, the report notes the switches were flipped one after another within a second, an action that immediately halted fuel flow to the engines.

The CVR revealed a perplexing exchange. One pilot asked, “Why did you cut off?” and the other responded, “I didn’t.” The report does not identify who spoke, as the investigation has not yet “speaker-stamped” the recording. At the time, First Officer Kunder was the pilot flying, while Captain Sabharwal was monitoring. This ambiguity has fueled speculation about whether the shutdown was intentional, accidental, or caused by a mechanical issue. The switches were found in the “RUN” position at the crash site, indicating the pilots’ attempt to recover, but the brief 10-second window was insufficient to restore adequate thrust.

Theories and Speculation

The crash has sparked numerous theories, ranging from human error to mechanical failure and even sabotage. Here are the leading hypotheses:

1. Pilot Error or Confusion

The CVR’s cryptic dialogue suggests possible confusion in the cockpit. Some reports, including one from The Wall Street Journal, indicate the investigation is focusing on Captain Sabharwal, though no conclusive evidence points to deliberate action. The Indian Pilots’ Association and Air India CEO Campbell Wilson have urged against premature conclusions, emphasizing the pilots’ extensive experience and clean records. Both pilots passed breathalyzer tests and were rested, ruling out fatigue or intoxication. However, the possibility of an inadvertent action—perhaps during a high-stress moment—remains. Aviation expert John Cox noted that the switches’ design makes accidental movement unlikely, as they require deliberate force.

2. Mechanical or Automation Issue

A 2018 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) warned that fuel control switches on some Boeing aircraft, including the 787, could have disengaged locking mechanisms, increasing the risk of unintended operation. Air India did not conduct the recommended inspections, as the SAIB was advisory, not mandatory. Some pilots speculate a glitch in the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system could have triggered an automatic shutdown, though the CVR’s dialogue undermines this theory, as it suggests the pilots noticed the switch movement. The preliminary report found no mechanical faults in the aircraft or engines, and no safety actions were recommended for Boeing or GE Aerospace.

3. Sabotage or Intentional Act

The deliberate nature of the switch movement has led to speculation about sabotage, though no evidence supports this. Anti-terror experts are part of the investigation, given political tensions in Gujarat. However, the pilots’ backgrounds and the lack of any reported threats make this theory less likely. The AAIB has emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and a final report, expected within a year, will provide clarity.

4. Other Factors

Initial theories included bird strikes, fuel contamination, or flap misconfiguration, but these have been largely ruled out. Ahmedabad airport has a history of bird strikes, but CCTV footage showed no evidence of birds. Fuel samples from the refueling equipment were satisfactory, and the 787’s takeoff configuration warning system would have alerted the crew to flap issues. A loud “boom” reported by the survivor and a ground witness suggested a possible engine failure, but the report attributes the engine shutdown to the fuel switch movement, not a mechanical fault.

Investigation and Response

The AAIB, supported by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, Boeing, GE Aerospace, and UK investigators, is leading the probe. The black boxes, recovered despite fire damage, provided critical data. Air India has cooperated fully, establishing the AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust to support victims’ families and deploying caregivers to Ahmedabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and the sole survivor, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III expressed condolences. Air India’s maintenance practices are under scrutiny, particularly its failure to inspect the fuel switches as per the 2018 SAIB.

Simulations by Air India pilots in a Boeing 787 simulator failed to replicate a dual-engine flame-out caused by electrical failures, reinforcing the focus on the fuel switches. The investigation is examining the switches’ physical wreckage to confirm their position and condition. Families, like Imtiyaz Ali, who lost relatives, have demanded the full CVR transcript, expressing distrust in the preliminary report’s vagueness.

Implications for Aviation Safety

The crash, the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 since its 2011 debut, raises questions about the aircraft’s systems and pilot training. The 787’s “more-electric” architecture, relying on electrical systems for functions traditionally handled by hydraulics, has been praised for efficiency but scrutinized for potential vulnerabilities. The incident has prompted India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation to order inspections of Air India’s 33 Boeing 787s by July 21, 2025. If a systemic issue is found, it could impact Boeing and GE Aerospace, as well as global 787 operators.

The tragedy also highlights the challenges of low-altitude emergencies. Pilots are not trained for dual-engine failures below 400 feet, as recovery is nearly impossible. The crash underscores the need for robust safeguards on critical controls like fuel switches and raises questions about the adequacy of non-mandatory safety advisories.

Conclusion

The Air India Flight 171 crash remains a perplexing tragedy, with the engine shutdown mystery at its core. The cockpit’s haunting question—“Why did you cut off?”—echoes through the investigation, pointing to human, mechanical, or unforeseen factors. As the AAIB continues its work, the aviation industry and grieving families await answers. The crash is a stark reminder of the fragility of flight and the importance of rigorous safety protocols. Until the final report is released, the world can only speculate, but one thing is clear: the truth behind those 32 seconds will shape the future of aviation safety.