VOIWORLD/LONDON
The families of the victims are in shock after a preliminary report was released about the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12. The flight was headed to London when it crashed during takeoff.
Badasab Syed, who lost his brother Inayat Syed (a 49-year-old IT professional), his sister-in-law, and their two children in the crash, said the report has only raised more questions for him.
Many other relatives like Syed are doubting the probe by the airline saying it is just a “cover up” for Air India and Boeing
UK law firms are already representing dozens of relatives of those passengers who died in the tragic plane crash.
Flight AI171 to London Gatwick had 242 people on board. Tragically, 241 of them died, including 53 British nationals. The plane crashed into a hostel at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College in Ahmedabad, killing several students and residents on the ground. Only one person—a British-Indian man sitting in seat 11A—survived. In total, 260 people lost their lives in the disaster.
Initial probe report into Air India Ahmedabad to London flight crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad, killing at least 260 was released last week
This preliminary investigation report on the Air India Boeing 787-8 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, highlights a deeply concerning sequence of events and systemic gaps. Here’s a concise summary and analysis of the key findings:
What Happened?
Crash Timing: The aircraft lifted off at 1:38:39 p.m. and crashed within a minute, at 1:39 p.m., just outside the airport boundary.
Critical Failure:
At 1:38:42 p.m. (just 3 seconds after liftoff), the fuel control switches for both engines shifted from RUN to CUTOFF, resulting in loss of engine thrust.
The switches transitioned one after another, with a 1-second interval.
Cockpit Activity:
The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you cut off?”, to which the other replied, “I didn’t.”
The report does not clarify which pilot said what — nor does it provide the full CVR transcript.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hours) was monitoring the flight.
First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours) was flying the aircraft.
Technical and Regulatory Lapses:
The fuel control switches are supposed to be locked in the RUN position during flight.
A 2018 FAA advisory had warned of a possible disengagement of the locking feature.
Air India did not comply, citing its advisory (non-mandatory) status.
No recent maintenance issues were reported with the switch or throttle module (last replaced in 2023).
Expert Concerns & Accountability:
Amit Singh, aviation safety expert:
“Until the investigation explains how a supposedly locked fuel switch could have moved to CUTOFF and provides a detailed sequence of failure messages and aircraft response, the full truth remains elusive.”
A parliamentary panel has now demanded written responses from Air India on safety compliance and protocols.
Key Unanswered Questions:
Was the switch movement manual, accidental, or system-induced?
Why was the FAA advisory not acted upon proactively, given its safety implications?
Could the pilots have inadvertently activated the switches — or was it a mechanical/electrical fault?
Why was the cockpit voice recording not fully transcribed or disclosed?
Fatalities: At least 260 lives were lost.
To read more about the preliminary report, please click here.
