Captain allegedly turns off fuel before deadly Air India crash
- Cockpit recordings indicate the Air India captain turned off fuel supply to the engines shortly after takeoff.
- The initial report has sparked controversy over its handling and the implications of pilot error.
- The matter is under investigation, with ongoing scrutiny from aviation authorities and calls for a thorough examination of facts.
In June 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, killing a total of 260 people on board and leading to one survivor. A preliminary investigation has revealed that the crash may have been linked to the aircraft's fuel control switches being turned off moments after takeoff, as indicated by cockpit voice recordings. The cockpit recordings have raised suspicions regarding the actions of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who reportedly switched off the fuel supply to both engines, causing lost thrust just seconds after the plane lifted off. This situation prompted a panic from First Officer Clive Kunder. Initial analyses suggest that this was an intentional act, although the investigation is ongoing and has not definitively established the captain's motives nor ruled out mechanical failure as a contributing factor. The preliminary report indicated that both fuel cutoff switches changed position from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" almost simultaneously, which ignited controversy and allegations from pilots' associations regarding the investigative process and potential biases against the pilots. In light of this tragedy, Air India paused flights for precautionary checks on all of their Boeing 787 aircraft while rolling out plans for limited flight resumption in August after ensuring safety measures were in place. Until a comprehensive investigation is completed, which may take years, the situation continues to unfold with calls for clarity and a summary of findings from aviation authorities and Air India.