The findings are stark and troubling: a mysterious and near-simultaneous switch-off of both engine fuel supplies mid-air, confusion in the cockpit, and a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to relight the engines—all within moments of takeoff.

Sudden Cutoff: A Perilous 5-Second Window

The report provides a second-by-second breakdown of the chain of events that unfolded after the aircraft began its takeoff roll at 13:37:37 IST on June 12. A minute later, at 13:38:42, the Dreamliner had reached a speed of 180 knots when both engines’ fuel control switches were flipped from the ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ position—one after another within a second. This action cut off the fuel supply to the engines, instantly leading to a drop in thrust.

In the cockpit voice recording retrieved from the aircraft’s black box, one pilot is heard asking the other, “Why did you cutoff?”—to which the second responds, “I did not do so.”

The AAIB highlighted the design of the switches, which are locked behind a metal safety bar between the pilots’ seats to prevent accidental toggling. Aviation experts have described the possibility of an unintentional flip as “extremely unlikely.” These switches are designed to be moved only with deliberate force and intention.

By 13:38:47, both engines had dropped below idle speed. As the aircraft began to lose altitude rapidly, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup hydraulic power source, automatically deployed—a grim sign that systems were already failing.

A Desperate Attempt to Recover

Despite the emergency, the cockpit crew made frantic efforts to regain control. The timeline shows that within 10 seconds of the engine shutdown, the pilots attempted to restart the engines by flipping the switches back to ‘RUN’. At 13:38:52, Engine 1’s fuel switch was returned to the correct position, followed by Engine 2 just four seconds later.

The aircraft’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) kicked in, and signs of engine relighting began to appear—Engine 1’s core speed started to recover while Engine 2 struggled to stabilize. But it was too late. At 13:39:05, the pilot issued a final distress call: “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.” Six seconds later, all data recording ceased.

By the time rescue teams reached the site at 13:44:44, the aircraft had crashed just beyond the airport’s perimeter wall. The fire and impact left only one survivor, making this one of the worst civil aviation accidents in India’s history.

Questions Remain, But Air India and Boeing Pledge Cooperation

The preliminary report refrains from assigning blame but raises crucial questions. Was it a mechanical fault, a procedural error, or a tragic miscommunication in the cockpit? The report makes clear that the engine manufacturer (GE) and Boeing's aircraft systems were not identified as the direct cause. However, the mystery surrounding the movement of the fuel cutoff switches remains central to the investigation.

International aviation analyst David Soucie told CNN that such switches are “engineered not to move accidentally,” and the AAIB report reaffirms that lifting the protective lock and flipping both switches requires intentional action.

Air India has responded with a public message of condolence and commitment to transparency. In a statement posted on X, the airline said, “We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to supporting the investigation.” It added, “We acknowledge receipt of the AAIB’s preliminary report and are cooperating fully.”

Boeing, too, released a statement confirming its ongoing support for investigators.

Meanwhile, the lone survivor remains under medical care, and the families of the 260 victims—among them 19 individuals on the ground—are left grappling with an unspeakable loss. Of the 230 passengers onboard, the majority were Indian nationals, followed by 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian citizen, along with 12 crew members.

The AAIB’s final report, expected in the coming months, may offer clearer answers. Until then, the tragedy of AI171 remains a haunting reminder of how a single moment in aviation can change hundreds of lives forever.