Pilot Shut Off Air India’s Fuel Switch? India Rejects US Media Claims

US Media Allegations

In mid July, the Wall Street Journal quoted unnamed US sources claiming that the captain may have deliberately or accidentally switched off the fuel control levers for both engines shortly after takeoff. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) reportedly captured the co-pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” while the captain remained calm—raising speculation of an intentional act

India’s Firm Rebuttal

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) strongly rejected these narratives, labeling them “irresponsible conclusions” based on selective and unverified reporting. The bureau emphasized that the preliminary findings do not assign intent or definitively state who touched the switches

What the Preliminary AAIB Report Revealed

• The CVR confirmed that both fuel control switches moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF”, one second apart, causing engine failure
• Shortly after, both were switched back to “RUN”, and the engines attempted to relight—but with insufficient altitude and speed, the aircraft couldn’t recover
• The CVR picked up a dialogue: “Why did you cut off?”
  “I did not do so.”
  However, neither speaker was identified
• The cause—whether human action, technical malfunction, or error—is still undetermined

Experts Cast Doubt on Immediate Pilot Error Claims

Industry voices caution against jumping to conclusions:

• U.S. aviation experts emphasize the switches have lock mechanisms, making accidental toggling unlikely
• Others point out automated systems (like in ANA’s 2019 787 incident) may have caused the switches to move without pilot input
• Pilot union groups—ICPA and ALPA India—condemned the WSJ report as premature and unfounded, asserting there’s no basis to claim pilot suicide or deliberate error

Air India & Civil Aviation Ministry’s Response

• Air India inspected its entire Boeing 787 fleet and found no mechanical faults in the fuel control systems
• Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu urged public restraint, stating the preliminary report offers no definitive conclusions and the investigation remains ongoing
• The airline’s CEO echoed this, urging patience and trust in the established investigatory process

Technical Insight on Fuel Control Switches

These switches, located behind the throttle levers, are designed for ground operations and emergency shutdowns. They have lock-and-pull mechanisms to prevent accidental movement mid-flight

Current Status & Path Ahead

Investigators from India, Boeing, GE, and US authorities are working on:

• Analyzing CVR & Flight Data Recorder (FDR).
• Investigating whether a system malfunction triggered the switches.
• Debating the possible role of pilot action—deliberate or inadvertent.
• Considering the installation of future cockpit image recorders to provide clearer insights

A final report including safety recommendations is expected within 12 months