New Delhi | TPO Bureau | Agencies Input
The tragic Air India Express accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad was caused by both engines losing fuel supply due to the inadvertent switching off of fuel control switches, according to a detailed 15-page report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The incident, which occurred shortly after takeoff, could have been avoided, the report suggests, if the pilots had adhered to standard cockpit protocols.
The crash happened on July 12 during a scheduled flight from Ahmedabad to Dubai, with 242 passengers and crew members on board. Thankfully, no lives were lost, but the accident has raised serious questions about cockpit procedures and pre-flight checks.
Fuel Supply to Engines Was Cut Off
The AAIB report confirms that the fuel supply switches to both engines were turned off moments before takeoff — a critical mistake that led to both engines shutting down during ascent. As a result, the aircraft lost power and crashed just 32 seconds after becoming airborne.
Flight recorders revealed that there was no indication of technical failure, weather interference, or bird strike. The engines were functioning normally until the fuel control switch-off, which immediately led to dual engine failure.
Timeline from Takeoff to Crash (32 Seconds Total)
13:48:59 — Aircraft begins takeoff roll.
13:49:01 — One engine shuts down.
13:49:05 — Second engine shuts down.
13:49:31 — Aircraft crashes, just 32 seconds after liftoff.
Pilots May Have Miscommunicated During Pre-Flight Setup
The report hints at a possible miscommunication between the two pilots during the pre-flight checklist. Aviation experts speculate that manual override of the fuel control switches could have been done unintentionally, and neither pilot noticed the fuel supply was off.
AAIB Rules Out External Factors
The AAIB report ruled out weather, bird hits, or sabotage as contributing factors. It states that cockpit procedures were either skipped or improperly followed, leading to the fatal oversight.
Air India to Review SOPs and Training
In response, Air India has announced that it will review its standard operating procedures (SOPs) and retrain flight crews to prevent such errors in the future. The airline has also launched its own internal inquiry to identify possible procedural lapses.
Report Shared with DGCA and International Bodies
The final AAIB report has been submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and shared with Boeing and international aviation agencies. A safety advisory has also been issued regarding fuel switch handling protocols during pre-flight checks.
