Air India Tragedy: Investigation Reveals Dual Engine Shutdown After Take-Off
The mystery surrounding the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad is beginning to unravel. A new preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirms that both engines shut down seconds after take-off, leading to the devastating crash that claimed over 270 lives. The findings have sent shockwaves through the aviation community and raised urgent questions about aircraft safety protocols, maintenance practices, and mechanical reliability.
Timeline Of Events
At precisely 1:39 PM on June 12, the Air India Dreamliner took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, identified as tail number VT-ANB, climbed briefly before a chilling sequence of mechanical failure began to unfold.
- 0–10 seconds after take-off: Aircraft begins initial climb. No distress signals are observed.
- 11–15 seconds: Cockpit voice recorder captures confusion between pilots. One says, “Why did you cut off?” The other replies, “I didn’t.”
- 16–20 seconds: Data from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder indicates the fuel cutoff switches for both engines transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ almost simultaneously.
- 21–30 seconds: Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploys, confirming total loss of power.
- 32 seconds: Plane crashes into the BJ Medical College Hostel, less than a nautical mile from the runway.
The aircraft was airborne for just 32 seconds and covered a distance of only 0.9 nautical miles before impact.
Critical Findings From The Report
The preliminary report, made public well past midnight this past Saturday, points squarely to a mechanical failure involving the fuel control switches. These switches, essential for regulating fuel flow to each engine, inexplicably shifted to the ‘CUTOFF’ position, starving the engines mid-air.
“The fuel cutoff switches transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ one after another, within a second of each other,” the AAIB wrote in the report.
This meant a total loss of thrust, effectively turning the Dreamliner into a giant glider — with no altitude and no room for recovery.
Voice Records and Engine Data
Adding a layer of human drama to the technical failure were the cockpit voice recordings. At one point, one pilot exclaims, “Why did you cut off?” to which the other responds urgently, “I didn’t.” This exchange is now a central element of the investigation and highlights what seems to have been a failure neither pilot anticipated or initiated.
Meanwhile, data from the black box shows that attempts were made mid-flight to restart the engines. Engine 1 temporarily showed signs of regeneration — its core speed stopped decelerating and began building back. But Engine 2 failed to stabilize, with fuel being reintroduced multiple times to no real effect.
A Powerless Descent
Perhaps the most visually telling sign of distress was the deployment of the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine — the RAT. It’s a kind of emergency windmill used to power essential systems during total engine failure. Footage from airport CCTV confirmed the RAT’s activation right after take-off.
The report confirms:
- No signs of significant bird activity in the flight path
- Clear weather, good visibility, and calm wind conditions
- Normal flap settings at five degrees
- Landing gear lever in the DOWN position — standard for take-off
This leaves little room to blame external conditions. Every normal takeoff indicator was present — and yet, the engines died.
Official Statements And Prior Warnings
The Air India maintenance history for aircraft VT-ANB also came under scrutiny. Investigators noted the presence of service bulletins from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding fuel control switch locking mechanisms — advisory notices dating back to 2018.
“The FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) No. NM-18-33 on December 17, 2018, regarding the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature,” the AAIB noted.
That said, Air India reportedly did not conduct the recommended inspections. The airline made a technical judgement that, since the FAA bulletin wasn’t mandatory, no action was necessary. Maintenance logs revealed throttle control module replacements in both 2019 and 2023 — although those repairs were not associated with fuel controls and no issues had been logged with the switches in over a year.
Community And Industry Reactions
Public sentiment has been a mix of grief and frustration. Several families have voiced concerns about Air India’s safety standards. Aviation experts are now urging the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to reevaluate how safety advisories — even non-compulsory ones — are handled by commercial carriers.
One senior aviation analyst said, “It’s concerning that advisory-level findings were ignored. When you’re flying hundreds of people, aren’t all risk signals worthy of action?”
The Ahmedabad airport authorities and city hospitals have struggled to cope with the aftermath. With the crash occurring within close proximity of BJ Medical College Hostel, ground casualties added to the distress.
What’s Next?
The AAIB’s report is preliminary, with further analysis expected over the coming weeks. They’ve stated that the mysterious and near-simultaneous shutdown of both engines, caused by the fuel cutoff switches moving to the ‘CUTOFF’ position, remains their primary investigative focus.
Until then, much remains unclear. Was it mechanical failure? Accidental crew involvement? Or a dormant issue overlooked for too long?
You can probably guess where this might go, but even seasoned professionals admit this series of events is rare. Very rare. Pilots are trained for engine failure scenarios – but not for both engines giving up within seconds, while the plane is still practically on the runway ascent.
The report also confirms that sabotage is not suspected at this stage. There were no signs of tampering or interference. That narrows the field—and intensifies the focus on internal causes.
Closing Thoughts
As investigations continue, families of the victims are still looking for answers—and perhaps some form of accountability. Airlines, passengers, and regulators will all be watching the updated final report with caution and deep interest. For now, the skies continue to fly, but this tragedy hangs heavy in the minds of anyone who has ever trusted their life to an aircraft’s invisible set of systems and safeguards.
We’ll be following every update as it comes.
