Key points
- Preliminary crash report due by Friday
- No immediate mechanical fault found in Boeing 787
- Transparency concerns as probe delayed
- Crash threatens Air India revival under Tata Group
ISLAMABAD: A preliminary report into the fatal Air India jetliner crash in June is expected by Friday, according to three individuals with knowledge of the matter, with one noting that the investigation is now focusing on the operation of the aircraft’s fuel control switches.
The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner began to lose altitude after climbing to 650 feet and crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, India, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of 242 people on board, along with others on the ground, according to Reuters.
Air India crashed after taking off. The plane was seen struggling to gain altitude before crashing into a fire ball.. Over 200 people were on board..#AirIndiaCrash pic.twitter.com/xacH20AlSe
— Sudhir Byaruhanga (@Sudhirntv) June 12, 2025
The investigation has turned its attention to the movement of the engine fuel control switches, following analysis of both the flight and cockpit voice recorders, as well as a flight simulation carried out by Boeing.
Flagging immediate concerns
So far, investigators have not flagged any immediate concerns regarding mechanical failure, and no advisory has been issued to airlines regarding changes to the 787’s operation.
The aviation publication The Air Current was the first to report that investigators were focusing on the aircraft’s fuel switches, which are responsible for powering its two engines.
The investigation into the Air India flight 171 crash is focusing on the movement of the engine fuel control switches, following an analysis of the Boeing 787′s flight and voice data recorders, aviation industry publication the Air Current reported Tuesday, citing people with… pic.twitter.com/3oX3fY8Dx6
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) July 9, 2025
It remains unclear exactly what actions involving the switches are under scrutiny.
The data from the flight recorders had not conclusively indicated whether the fuel switches were moved improperly, unintentionally, or deliberately before or after the suspected loss of engine thrust, according to The Air.
Accidentally moving switches
US aviation safety expert John Cox noted that it would be highly unlikely for a pilot to accidentally move the switches, as they are designed to prevent inadvertent operation. “You can’t just bump them and they move,” he said.
He added that if one of the switches were shut off, it would result in an almost immediate loss of engine power.
Most aviation accidents are caused by a combination of factors. As reported by Reuters last month, the current investigation is focusing at least in part on engine thrust.
Although the Indian investigative team’s report may be made public on Friday, the three sources cautioned that this timeline could shift, and the level of detail in the report remains uncertain, as it comes approximately 30 days after the 12 June disaster.
Lack of transparency
The investigation has been criticised for a lack of transparency. It reportedly took investigators around two weeks to retrieve data from the flight recorders. Additionally, the Indian government has held only one press briefing on the incident and did not allow questions from the media.
However, India has since reversed an earlier decision that would have prevented a United Nations aviation expert from participating in the probe. Two senior sources confirmed that a specialist from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was later granted observer status, following a rare request by the agency to be involved, reports Reuters.
ICAO declined to comment, stating that any public disclosure of “cooperative arrangements” would require authorisation from the host nation.
Challenging Tata Group
The crash poses a significant challenge to the Tata Group’s efforts to revitalise Air India’s reputation and modernise its fleet, following its acquisition of the airline from the government in 2022.
India is relying on rapid growth in its aviation sector to advance broader economic goals. The government has stated its ambition to transform the country into a major aviation hub, similar to Dubai, which currently handles a large portion of India’s international air traffic.
A parliamentary panel will review safety within India’s civil aviation sector and has summoned various officials from the government and aviation industry to answer questions on Wednesday. The recent Air India crash is expected to be among the key topics discussed.
