Air India crash report delayed while GE engines examined in US
The preliminary investigation into the June 2025 Air India Flight 171 crash has been delayed as investigators continue to examine the aircraft’s GE GEnx-1B engines in the United States. The crash, which killed 260 people, remains one of the most perplexing aviation disasters in recent history. According to the preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), both fuel-control switches in the cockpit were abruptly moved to the “cut-off” position shortly after takeoff, leading to total power loss in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The report highlights that the switches were later returned to their normal in-flight position, triggering an automatic engine relight. However, by the time of the crash, one engine regained thrust while the other had not yet recovered power. Investigators are now scrutinizing whether the switches were moved intentionally, accidentally, or due to a mechanical or electronic malfunction.
The preliminary report also references a 2018 advisory from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding potential issues with the locking mechanism on certain Boeing 737 fuel control switches. While the advisory was not deemed an unsafe condition, it has raised questions about whether a similar issue contributed to the Air India crash. No immediate mechanical failure has been identified in the GE engines or the Boeing 787 design, according to current findings.
The delay in the final report has drawn criticism from aviation experts and the families of the victims, who are seeking clarity on the cause of the crash. The AAIB has not yet issued urgent safety recommendations, and no advisories have been issued by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or the FAA. Investigators are also examining the cockpit voice recorder to determine which pilot may have operated the fuel switches and whether there was confusion or miscommunication during the critical moments after takeoff.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the sequence of events that led to the crash and whether systemic or procedural changes are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. The final report is expected to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the technical and operational factors involved.
