AAIB report finds fuel supply cut off after Air India 787 liftoff
The 15-page report says both engines shut down seconds after takeoff, as their fuel cutoff switches moved to CUTOFF within a second.;
VT-ANB, the aircraft involved in the accident
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released the preliminary report on the fatal crash involving Air India’s Boeing 787-8 aircraft, registration VT-ANB, at Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025. The aircraft was operating flight AI171 to London Gatwick with 242 passengers on board.
The 15-page report reveals startling details about the accident, stating that both engines were shut down just seconds after takeoff. It notes that the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF within one second of each other.
The report says “The Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) data indicate that the aircraft achieved the maximum recorded airspeed of 180 Knots Indicated Airspeed (IAS) at about 08:08:42 UTC, and immediately thereafter, the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 second.
The Engine N1 and N2 began to decrease from their take-off values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off.”
The preliminary report also notes that, in the cockpit voice recording, one pilot is heard asking the other why he cut off the engines, to which the second pilot responds that he did not.
It states that CCTV footage from the airport showed the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploying during the initial climb, immediately after lift-off. No significant bird activity was observed near the flight path. The aircraft began losing altitude before it could clear the airport perimeter wall.
“As per the EAFR data, both engines' N2 values passed below the minimum idle speed, and the RAT hydraulic pump began supplying hydraulic power at about 08:08:47 UTC.
As per the EAFR, the Engine 1 fuel cutoff switch transitioned from CUTOFF to RUN at about 08:08:52 UTC. The auxiliary power unit (APU) Inlet Door began opening at about 08:08:54 UTC, consistent with the APU Auto Start logic.
Thereafter, at 08:08:56 UTC, the Engine 2 fuel cutoff switch also transitions from CUTOFF to RUN. When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN while the aircraft is in flight, each engine's full authority dual engine control (FADEC) automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction.
The Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) was observed to be rising for both engines, indicating relight. Engine 1’s core deceleration stopped, reversed, and started to progress to recovery. Engine 2 was able to relight but could not arrest core speed deceleration and re-introduced fuel repeatedly to increase core speed acceleration and recovery. The EAFR recording stopped at 08:09:11 UTC.”
The report mentions that the flap handle assembly sustained significant thermal damage. However, the handle was found firmly seated in the 5-degree flap position, consistent with a normal takeoff flap setting, a position also confirmed by the EAFR data. The landing gear lever was in the ‘DOWN’ position. Both thrust levers were found near the aft (idle) position, but EAFR data revealed that they remained forward (takeoff thrust) until the moment of impact.
All applicable Airworthiness Directives and Alert Service Bulletins were complied with on the aircraft as well as the engines. There has been no defect reported pertaining to the fuel control switch on VT-ANB since 2023.
The AAIB stated that the investigation is ongoing and the team will continue to review and examine additional evidence, records, and information being gathered from various stakeholders. At this stage, no safety recommendations have been issued for B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators or manufacturers.
Boeing, in a statement following the AAIB’s preliminary report on Air India Flight 171, said: “Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected on the ground in Ahmedabad. We continue to support the investigation and our customer.
We will defer to the AAIB to provide information about AI171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation protocol known as Annex 13.”