Ahmedabad, July 17, 2025 — Investigators probing the June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI 171 are increasingly centering on the actions of the aircraft’s captain, according to The Wall Street Journal .
🛫 What the Report Reveals
- A preliminary U.S.-assisted probe suggests cockpit voice recordings indicate the captain moved engine fuel-control switches from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” shortly after liftoff, leading to the shutdown of both engines
- The first officer, who had been flying at the time, reportedly questioned the captain: “Why did you move the fuel switches?” to which the captain responded: “I did not do so”, highlighting confusion in the cockpit
- Neither pilot has been accused of deliberate wrongdoing; the report emphasizes it is unclear whether the switch movements were accidental or intentional
👨✈️ Pilots’ Background
The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran with over 15,600 flight hours. His co-pilot, First Officer Clive Kunder, had approximately 3,400 hours .
🚁 Engines and Emergency Systems
When the fuel flow ceased, both engines instantly lost thrust. This activated the ram air turbine (RAT)—a backup hydraulic and electrical power source—which deployed during descent before the crash
🔧 Mechanical and Maintenance Review
- India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) confirmed no mechanical or maintenance issues with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or its GE engines
- A 2018 FAA advisory warned of potential disengagements in similar Boeing fuel-switch lock mechanisms—found on some Dreamliners—but this was non-mandatory. Air India had not performed inspections until after the crash; regulatory directives are now in place
- The U.S. FAA and Boeing have privately confirmed the fuel-switch locks are safe, and the AAIB issued no immediate safety recommendations for Boeing or GE
🧩 Ongoing Investigation and Implications
- American officials initially voiced frustration over data-sharing delays, but ultimately remained engaged, ensuring transparent investigation
- Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has urged restraint, cautioning against presuming intent or error before final findings are released
- The incident has prompted renewed debate over cockpit ergonomics—and increasingly, whether commercial aircraft should feature cockpit video recorders to better resolve ambiguities