Air India Flight AI-171 Crashed 32 Seconds After Takeoff — Preliminary Report Points to Engine Fuel Cutoff Switches

BREAKING: Air India Flight AI-171 Crashed 32 Seconds After Takeoff — Preliminary Report Points to Engine Fuel Cutoff Switches

Disturbing new details have emerged in the preliminary investigation into the crash of Air India Flight AI-171, revealing that the aircraft lost power just 32 seconds after liftoff due to both engine fuel control switches being moved from RUN to CUTOFF moments after takeoff.

According to investigators, there was no evidence of mechanical or structural failure found in the aircraft during the initial examination. Instead, early findings indicate that the fuel control switches — which regulate fuel flow to each engine — were moved sequentially, approximately one second apart, effectively starving both engines of fuel and causing them to shut down almost immediately.

What This Means

In modern commercial aircraft, fuel control switches are critical components. When set to RUN, fuel flows normally to the engines, allowing them to generate thrust. When switched to CUTOFF, fuel supply is stopped — a step typically taken only when shutting down engines on the ground or during specific emergency procedures.

Moving both switches to CUTOFF shortly after liftoff would result in a sudden and catastrophic loss of thrust at one of the most vulnerable phases of flight. During takeoff, aircraft are still gaining altitude and airspeed. With both engines losing power just seconds into climb-out, pilots would have extremely limited time and altitude to attempt corrective action.

Aviation experts note that it is highly unusual for both fuel control switches to be moved during this phase unless responding to a specific emergency — and even then, such actions follow strict protocols.

No Mechanical Failure Found

One of the most striking elements of the preliminary report is the absence of mechanical malfunction. Investigators reportedly found no evidence of engine defects, fuel system failure, or structural issues that would have forced an automatic shutdown.

This shifts the focus of the investigation toward:

Cockpit procedures and crew actions

Possible miscommunication between pilots

Potential human error

Whether any warnings or alarms triggered the action

Data from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR)

Audio from the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)

Authorities stress that this is an early-stage report, and conclusions are not yet final. Further analysis of recorded cockpit conversations, system alerts, and aircraft parameters will be necessary to understand what occurred in those final seconds.

The Critical 32 Seconds

Aviation safety analysts emphasize that the first minute after takeoff is one of the most sensitive periods of any flight. Aircraft are transitioning from ground roll to climb, retracting landing gear, adjusting flaps, and accelerating. Any sudden loss of thrust during this window dramatically reduces recovery options.

With both engines deprived of fuel almost simultaneously, the aircraft would have experienced rapid deceleration and loss of climb performance, leaving very little margin for corrective maneuvering.

Investigation Ongoing

Regulatory authorities and aviation safety agencies are continuing their review. More detailed findings are expected once:

Full flight data is analyzed

Crew communication transcripts are examined

Switch movement timing is cross-referenced with engine performance data

Officials caution against speculation until the final report is released.

For now, the preliminary findings raise serious questions about cockpit actions during the critical moments after takeoff — and the aviation world is watching closely as investigators work to piece together exactly what happened.

More updates will follow as the investigation progresses.