Air India AI171 Probe Reveals Cockpit Fuel Switch Mystery
An initial safety inquiry into Air India Flight AI171 has uncovered a baffling cockpit anomaly, revealing that both engine fuel switches were intentionally or accidentally moved to the cutoff position mid-flight, triggering an immediate loss of propulsion and prompting intense global aviation scrutiny.
Key Highlights
- Investigators discovered both Boeing 787 engine fuel switches were shifted from RUN to CUTOFF within 1 second of each other.
- The mid-air dual engine power loss occurred just 3 seconds after the widebody aircraft lifted off from the runway.
- Cockpit voice recordings captured a pilot questioning why the fuel supply was severed, though individual speaker identities remain unconfirmed.
- Both flight crew members had passed mandatory sobriety screenings and were deemed fully fit for duty prior to departure.
The preliminary investigation report into Air India Flight AI171 has revealed details that have created a new mystery in the aviation world.
Just seconds before the crash, who moved both engine fuel switches from the RUN position to the CUTOFF position?
When both engines began losing power after the fuel was cut off, one pilot asked:
βWhy did you cut off the fuel?β
The other pilot replied:
Why were the fuel switches of not one, but both engines turned off during such a critical phase of flight?
Was there a fault in the switches?
Did a pilot do it intentionally?
Or was it the result of some malfunction?
How does this incident compare with other historical aviation accidents in which pilots deliberately committed suicide?
What similarities, if any, exist between those cases and AI171?
Today, we will take a deep look into this issue and try to understand what happened.
Welcome once again to ZM TV.
On the morning of 12 June 2025, Ahmedabad International Airport was experiencing a routine day.
There was a slight warmth in the air and the sky was completely clear.
Some aircraft were parked at the terminal boarding passengers, while others were taxiing.
Every 5 minutes, an aircraft was either landing or taking off from the runway.
Among them stood an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Its tail number was VT-ANB, and its flight number was AI171.
Earlier that same day, the aircraft had arrived in Ahmedabad from Delhi.
Now it was fully prepared for its next journeyβfrom Ahmedabad to London.
Nobody knew that within a few moments this Dreamliner would become global headline news and leave behind a mystery for the aviation world.
Inside the cockpit was 56-year-old Captain Sumeet Sabharwal.
According to reports, he had accumulated 15,600 hours of total flying experience, including 8,200 hours on the Boeing 787 itself.
The co-pilot, also known as the First Officer, was 32-year-old Clive Kunder.
He had a total flying experience of 3,400 hours, of which 1,128 hours were on the Boeing 787.
According to the report, both pilots passed their breathalyzer tests approximately 1.5 hours before departure and were found fit for duty.
The same aircraft, VT-ANB, had operated Flight AI423 from Delhi to Ahmedabad earlier that day.
A minor technical issue had occurred on the previous flight, but maintenance engineers successfully resolved it.
The aircraft was declared ready for its next flight.
Flight AI171 carried a total of 230 passengers.
The investigation report states that the aircraft was loaded with 54,200 kilograms of fuel.
Its takeoff weight was 213,400 kilograms, which was well within the normal operating range for a Boeing 787.
No evidence of dangerous cargo was found onboard.
Everything appeared completely normal.
After boarding was completed, air traffic control recordings show that at approximately 1:13 PM the aircraft requested pushback and engine start clearance.
At 1:33 PM and 45 seconds, ATC instructed the aircraft to line up on Runway 23.
At that time, wind speed was 6 knots, approximately 11 km/h.
The weather was clear and visibility was recorded at 6,000 meters.
In other words, conditions were ideal for a normal takeoff.
After receiving takeoff clearance, at 1:37 PM and 37 seconds, the pilots advanced the thrust levers and the aircraft began accelerating.
It should be noted that First Officer Clive Kunder was the pilot flying during the takeoff, while Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was monitoring.
According to Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder data, the aircraft reached V1 speed at 1:38 PM and 33 seconds.
V1 was 153 knots, or approximately 283 km/h.
After reaching V1, aborting the takeoff was no longer possible.
Two seconds later, the aircraft reached VR speed, which was 155 knots.
Then, at 1:38 PM and 39 seconds, the aircraft lifted off successfully.
Up to this point, everything was completely normal.
CCTV footage also confirms that everything appeared normal until liftoff.
However, what happened next changed everything.
About 3 seconds later, the aircraft reached 180 knots.
This means the engines were still producing thrust 3 seconds after takeoff.
Flight recorder data then revealed that immediately afterward, the fuel cutoff switches for Engine 1 and Engine 2 were moved from RUN to CUTOFF, one after another, with only about 1 second between them.
As a result, fuel supply to both engines was cut off.
The N1 and N2 engine parameters began dropping rapidly.
In simple terms, engine thrust started decreasing quickly.
According to the cockpit voice recorder, at exactly this point one pilot was heard saying:
βWhy did you cut off the fuel switch?β
Investigators have not yet determined which pilot asked the question and which pilot gave the answer.
Historical Context
The mid-air shutoff of dual powerplants shares eerie technical similarities with historical instances of deliberate pilot action. Safety experts are reviewing previous global accidents where flight deck personnel intentionally manipulated overhead or pedestal switches to starve engines of fuel or alter flight paths. While authorities have not yet confirmed intentional sabotage or a mechanical malfunction on flight AI171, the sudden sequencing of the controls mimics past profiles of insider interference, making it a critical focus for safety boards.
FAQs
What happened to Air India Flight AI171?
During its departure from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, the Boeing 787 experienced a sudden dual engine power loss just three seconds after liftoff. The preliminary investigation revealed that the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were moved to the cutoff position in mid-air.
Who was operating the aircraft during takeoff?
First Officer Clive Kunder was the pilot flying the aircraft during the takeoff phase, while Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was performing monitoring duties in the cockpit.
Did the flight crew pass their pre-flight checks?
Yes, both pilots underwent mandatory medical screenings and passed their breathalyzer tests roughly one and a half hours before the scheduled departure time, being cleared as fit for duty.
How much fuel and weight was the aircraft carrying?
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was serviced with 54,200 kilograms of aviation fuel and had a total calculated takeoff weight of 213,400 kilograms, which sat securely within standard operating parameters.
