Boeing Reacts To Fuel Switch Error Cited In Air India Crash Preliminary Report

Boeing has issued its first formal response following the release of the preliminary findings by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) into the Air India Flight 171 crash, which resulted in the deaths of 241 people on board and several on the ground.

In a carefully worded statement released early Saturday, the aircraft manufacturer conveyed its sympathies to the victims’ families and reaffirmed its cooperation with the ongoing investigation, reported Business Standard.

“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,” the company stated.

Boeing further noted that it would not independently comment on technical details, in line with international investigative frameworks. “We will defer to the AAIB to provide information about AI171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization protocol known as Annex 13,” it added, referring to the globally accepted rules for aircraft accident probes.

Initial Report Points to Fuel Control Switch Error

The AAIB released its preliminary report one month after the June 12 disaster. According to the findings, Flight AI 171—a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick—suffered a catastrophic dual engine shutdown just after take-off. Investigators found that the aircraft’s fuel control switches had been inadvertently moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ mode, shutting off the fuel supply within a second of each other. This left the aircraft without engine power at a critical stage of ascent.

Flight data recorders documented a brief but telling exchange between the cockpit crew. One pilot asked, “Why did you cut off?” and the other responded, “I did not.” The resulting power loss triggered deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup system that activates during total engine failure. Despite efforts to stabilise the aircraft, a distress signal was sent at 08:09 UTC before the plane crashed into a residential area beyond the airport boundary.

Also Read : Microsoft Cuts 15,000 Jobs, Asks Remaining Staff To Embrace AI; Details Inside

Air India Reaffirms Commitment to Investigation

Tata Group-owned Air India acknowledged the release of the AAIB’s findings in a social media post, reiterating its support for the ongoing inquiry. “We stand in solidarity with the families,” the airline stated, while confirming its commitment to full cooperation with investigators.

Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time.

We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident…

— Air India (@airindia) July 11, 2025

While the report offers technical insight into the sequence of failures, key questions remain unanswered. Investigators are expected to probe whether cockpit ergonomics, pilot training, or procedural shortcomings contributed to the inadvertent action. The broader inquiry will likely consider human-machine interaction and systemic safeguards to prevent such errors.

The crash has drawn comparisons to the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision, widely considered India’s worst aviation disaster. A full and final report is expected in the coming months, following detailed analysis of data from simulators, cockpit voice recordings, and Boeing's technical evaluations.

india