Cockpit Recording Suggests Pilot May Have Cut Fuel Before Air India Crash

A preliminary investigation into last month’s fatal crash of an Air India flight has revealed a troubling possibility: one of the pilots may have intentionally cut off fuel to both engines shortly after takeoff, leading to a catastrophic loss of power. The assessment comes from U.S. officials briefed on the early evidence, including cockpit voice and flight data recorders.

The cockpit recording captured a tense exchange between the two pilots, indicating confusion and alarm as the engines began to fail. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the first officer—who was at the controls of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner—was heard asking the captain why he had cut the fuel supply to the engines. The captain reportedly denied doing so.

The flight data recorder showed that the engine fuel switches, which control the flow of fuel to the aircraft’s engines, were moved from the “RUN” position to “CUTOFF” within seconds of takeoff. The left and right engine switches were flipped off in rapid succession, with a one-second gap between the actions. The switches were later returned to the “RUN” position and found in that state at the crash site.

Fuel control switches are located just below the thrust levers in a Boeing 787 equipped with General Electric engines, such as the one operated by Air India. These switches are spring-loaded and require a deliberate motion—pulling up and then shifting to the new position—to be activated. Aviation safety experts stress that accidental movement is highly unlikely.

John Cox, a U.S. aviation safety expert, noted that the switches and the valves they control are powered by independent systems, further reducing the chance of a simultaneous malfunction. “No sane pilot would ever turn those switches off in flight,” said fellow safety expert John Nance, adding that doing so during the critical climb phase after takeoff defies all standard procedures.

If the fuel control switches are turned back to “RUN” in mid-flight, the aircraft’s systems are designed to automatically reintroduce fuel and initiate an engine restart sequence. However, whether this sequence was completed before the aircraft lost altitude and crashed remains under investigation.

The incident marks a serious setback for Air India and has prompted intense scrutiny of cockpit protocols and pilot training. U.S. and Indian aviation authorities are continuing to probe the cause of the crash as families of the victims await clear answers.