A preliminary report released Saturday by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that the engine fuel control switches aboard the Air India flight that crashed last month in Gujarat were moved to the "cut-off" position just seconds before the aircraft plunged into a hostel, killing 260 people. The UK-bound flight slammed into a medical college hostel in western Gujarat shortly after takeoff, with only one passenger surviving after reportedly leaping from the aircraft. The tragedy claimed the lives of 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. According to the AAIB, the aircraft reached a maximum recorded airspeed of 180 knots before both Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cut-off switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF within a second of each other, leading to an immediate loss of power. The report stated that cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other, "Why did you cut off?" to which the second pilot replied that he had not done so. The incident suggests possible uncommanded or accidental engagement of the switches, although investigators have not drawn final conclusions. Following the switch-off, Engine 1's deceleration was briefly reversed and began recovering, while Engine 2 attempted to relight but failed to stabilize. Fuel was reintroduced multiple times to restart the engine, but the recovery proved unsuccessful. The Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) stopped recording shortly afterward. The AAIB emphasized that the probe remains ongoing and that additional evidence, data, and documents are still being collected from relevant parties. Air India, in a statement, said it is cooperating fully with investigators and is working closely with regulators and other stakeholders as the inquiry continues. This incident marks one of the deadliest air disasters in recent Indian aviation history and has raised serious concerns about potential mechanical or procedural failures in the moments before the crash. — Agencies
