Fuel Cut-Off Triggered Deadly Crash of Air India AI171 Just Seconds After Take-Off from Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, July 12: A London-bound Air India Dreamliner crashed just 32 seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, after fuel supply to both engines was abruptly cut off nearly simultaneously, according to a preliminary investigation report.

The tragic incident involved flight AI171, operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliner VT-ANB, which departed for London after arriving earlier from New Delhi as flight AI423.

Investigators revealed that both engines’ fuel cut-off switches were inexplicably moved from the RUN to the CUTOFF position within a second of each other immediately after liftoff, depriving the aircraft of power while it climbed out. Cockpit recordings captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel was cut off, to which the second pilot responded he had not done so.

Despite frantic efforts, the crew struggled to restore thrust in time to save the aircraft. Although both engines were reignited moments later, only Engine 1 began recovering while Engine 2 failed to regain power, dooming the flight.

The sequence of events unfolded rapidly:

At 13:37:37 IST, Air India AI171 was cleared for take-off from Runway 23.

By 13:38:39 IST, the aircraft lifted off the runway, reaching a maximum speed of 180 knots.

Within seconds, both engine fuel cut-off switches were toggled to the CUTOFF position.

The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed automatically to supply emergency hydraulic power as both engines’ speeds dropped below idle levels.

Despite pilots resetting fuel switches to RUN, Engine 2 continued to decelerate.

At 13:39:05 IST, a distress call of “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY” was transmitted from the cockpit.

By 13:39:11 IST, all recorded data from the aircraft stopped.

At 13:44:44 IST, fire and rescue units departed the airport for the crash site.


No further official details have been released regarding casualties or the precise cause behind the fuel cut-off. A comprehensive investigation is underway to determine whether human error, mechanical failure, or a system malfunction triggered the fatal sequence.

The incident has raised serious concerns over aircraft systems integrity and cockpit procedures, especially given the abrupt and near-simultaneous shutdown of both engines.

Further findings from the crash investigation are awaited as authorities analyze flight data recorders and cockpit voice recordings to piece together the final moments of AI171.