New developments have emerged in the investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, following a report from The Wall Street Journal that revealed chilling details from the cockpit voice recorder. According to the US-based media outlet, shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, the aircraft’s captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, reportedly switched both engine fuel-control switches to the “cutoff” position within about one second. This sudden action triggered a moment of confusion in the cockpit, with First Officer Clive Kunder audibly questioning, “Why did you cut off fuel?” The captain, however, responded with an unusually calm demeanor, according to the recording.
These revelations have sparked concerns about whether the move was a deliberate act, an accident, or part of a misunderstood checklist procedure. Aviation experts in the US, reviewing preliminary findings from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), highlighted that there were no mechanical issues reported with the Boeing 787’s fuel systems. The flight lasted only around 32 seconds after take-off, with the fuel switches being turned back to “run” about 10 seconds after being cut, but by then, the aircraft lacked sufficient altitude and speed to recover.
The response in India has been swift and cautious. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu urged the public and media to avoid jumping to conclusions based on preliminary information, emphasizing the importance of waiting for the complete investigation report. Meanwhile, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has strongly criticized the US media coverage, stating that the AAIB’s report has not concluded pilot error. The pilot body accused the reports of misrepresenting facts and condemned what it described as “irresponsible and premature” blame, further stating that the investigation lacked proper representation from pilots.
Technical teams from Boeing, GE, and US regulators, including the NTSB and FAA, are working closely with Indian authorities in the ongoing investigation. While some analysts and safety experts are calling for enhanced cockpit safety measures, such as installing image recorders alongside audio, the full report could take several more months to complete. The AAIB is expected to release a detailed document in line with international aviation protocols, including further analysis of the black boxes, flight systems, and human factors.
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As the global aviation community watches closely, these early insights have raised critical questions about cockpit protocols, human error, and aircraft system design. However, aviation authorities and experts alike are urging patience and care in interpreting the available evidence, as the focus remains on a thorough, transparent, and fair investigation.
