🔥 Inside the Air India Dreamliner 787 Crash That Killed 270 People
On June 12, tragedy struck Indian aviation history when an Air India Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of at least 270 people, including nearly 30 on the ground. A preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has shed light on the puzzling sequence of events that led to the catastrophic crash — and one chilling cockpit exchange stands out:
“Why did you cut off?”
“I didn’t.”
This brief, haunting dialogue between the two pilots was captured just seconds before the engines lost power, and the aircraft, airborne for only 32 seconds, slammed into a student hostel outside the airport perimeter.
🔍 The Key Moment: CUTOFF vs RUN
The report reveals a disturbing technical anomaly — both engines’ fuel switches were moved from RUN to CUTOFF within seconds of takeoff, cutting off fuel to the engines entirely.
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CUTOFF Mode: Immediately halts fuel supply, shutting down the engines.
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RUN Mode: Normal operational state during takeoff and flight.
Moments after the switch to CUTOFF, the pilots attempted to recover by switching back to RUN. According to the report:
“When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN during flight, the engine’s FADEC system begins a relight sequence automatically.”
But it was already too late.
🛫 What Happened After?
The aircraft lost altitude rapidly.
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RAT (Ram Air Turbine) was deployed — a last-resort safety mechanism triggered during total power loss.
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A MAYDAY call was transmitted — but no response followed.
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The plane crashed just beyond the airport boundary, exploding on impact.
🧠 Could It Have Been Prevented?
Interestingly, the FAA had previously issued a bulletin about a potential fuel switch flaw, particularly involving fuel control switches installed without the locking feature engaged. While it was not classified as an unsafe condition, the similarity raises serious questions about design reliability and oversight.
In the 1980s, a similar incident occurred with a Delta Air Lines Boeing 767, but disaster was averted because the aircraft had gained enough altitude to relight the engines.
👨✈️ The Pilots: Experience Was Not the Issue
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Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had 8,200 hours of flying experience.
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First Officer Clive Kundar had logged 1,100 hours.
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Both were medically fit and rested before the flight.
This points strongly to a technical error, not human negligence — though investigators have yet to conclude whether it was accidental activation, a switch flaw, or a malfunction.
📹 CCTV and Black Box: Telling the Same Story
Footage from the airport showed the RAT deploying immediately after takeoff — confirming dual engine failure.
The Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) stopped transmitting data shortly afterward.
🇮🇳 A Turning Point for Indian Aviation?
This is one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades. As the AAIB continues its investigation, there are growing calls for:
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🔧 Technical re-audits of fuel switch systems on Indian aircraft
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🔍 More stringent pre-flight checks for all critical components
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✍️ Mandatory locking mechanism enforcement on all fuel control switches
💬 Final Thoughts
The final question in that cockpit — “Why did you cut off?” — may haunt the aviation industry for years. Whether due to mechanical failure, a switch design flaw, or sheer misfortune, this tragedy is a stark reminder of the razor-thin margin for error in flight.
Air India Plane Crash Report | 'I Didn't Cut Off Fuel': Last Chat Of Pilots On AI Plane That Crashed
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