Air India Crash Investigation Centers on Captain’s Role: Reports

Rapid Summary

• A cockpit recording from the June 12, 2025 Air India crash reveals dialog between pilots regarding fuel switches being flipped to “cutoff” position.
• the crash killed 260 people, including 19 on the ground, when the Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost engine power shortly after takeoff and collided wiht a building near Ahmedabad.
• The First Officer asked Captain Sumeet Sabharwal about his action in moving fuel switches; the captain reportedly denied doing so.
• Fuel flow interruption caused the engines to lose thrust, and despite automatic restart attempts at low altitude, recovery was not possible.
• Circumstantial evidence points to potential human error in switching engine fuel controls during takeoff. Preliminary report found no mechanical or maintenance faults with the aircraft or its systems.
• Investigators from AAIB are still assessing all factors before issuing a final report under international timelines for aviation accidents (within one year).
• Debate reignited over mandating cockpit image recorders on airliners as investigators lacked visual footage of crew actions during this flight.

Indian Opinion Analysis

this tragic incident underscores urgent challenges for India’s aviation industry surrounding safety protocols and pilot training. While mechanical factors were ruled out by AAIB’s preliminary report, human error appears more plausible as evidence builds around unauthorized action involving critical controls during liftoff. Ensuring accountability through enhanced investigation tools such as cockpit image recorders could aid future accident analyses but raises privacy concerns that must be carefully addressed.

The Air India crash also casts light on broader regulatory scrutiny-both internal and external-following related concerns like compliance lapses reported within its budget carrier Air India Express. Strengthening monitoring systems is vital for preventing multi-factor failures that commonly contribute to catastrophes in aviation. This tragedy not only demands resolution but also serves as an impetus toward reinforcing policy reforms aimed at minimizing operational risks across India’s growing aviation sector.

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