NEW DELHI: The fuel switches of an Air India Boeing 787-8 were moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” seconds before it crashed after takeoff on June 12, killing 260 people, according to a preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Cockpit audio captured one pilot asking the other why fuel was cut off — to which the second replied he hadn’t. The plane, en route from Ahmedabad to London, then lost altitude rapidly. Though the switches were later returned to “RUN” and engines regained power, the pilot issued a “MAYDAY” before the aircraft crashed, killing all but one of 242 people on board and 19 on the ground.
Investigators found no technical fault with the engines or aircraft. A 2018 FAA bulletin had flagged possible issues with the fuel control switch lock, but Air India deemed related checks non-mandatory. Boeing has not commented.
US and UK investigators are assisting. The lone survivor, a British national, has been discharged from hospital. Dozens were injured. The investigation continues. – AFP
