India Identifies Engine Switch Issue in Fatal Air India Crash, No Immediate Action for Boeing or GE

Ahmedabad, India – A preliminary report on the June 12, 2025, Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash, which killed 260 people, revealed that three seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, the plane’s engine fuel cutoff switches moved from “run” to “cutoff,” starving the engines of fuel. The aircraft lost thrust and crashed shortly after.

The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning the other about cutting off the fuel, with the other denying responsibility. The report does not specify which pilot—the captain or first officer—made the remarks or issued the “Mayday” call before the crash. It also does not explain how the switches were flipped.

Aviation safety expert John Cox noted that fuel cutoff switches cannot be accidentally moved, as they require deliberate action. These switches are typically used to shut off engines after landing or in emergencies like engine fires, but the report found no such emergency.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau stated no immediate actions are recommended for Boeing or GE Aviation, the engine manufacturer. Air India, Boeing, and GE did not immediately comment.

The investigation, led by India’s civil aviation ministry, continues to probe the deadliest aviation accident in a decade.