AIR INDIA 171 SHOCKER: “Why is Fuel Gone?” — Captain’s Panicked Voice at 3,240 Feet Stuns Investigators as Final Cockpit Audio is Decrypted
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff, killing 260 people, including 241 of the 242 passengers and crew onboard and 19 on the ground. The catastrophic event, one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in decades, has left investigators, aviation experts, and the public grappling with more questions than answers. The preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), released on July 11, 2025, revealed a chilling detail: both engine fuel cutoff switches were moved from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position seconds after takeoff, starving the engines of fuel. Recently decrypted cockpit voice recordings have deepened the mystery, with one pilot, believed to be Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, exclaiming in a panicked voice at approximately 3,240 feet, “Why is fuel gone?” This article delves into the shocking details of the crash, the ongoing investigation, and the broader implications for aviation safety.
The Fateful Flight
Air India Flight 171 departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 13:37 IST (08:07 UTC). The aircraft, a 12-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner, was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a 56-year-old veteran pilot with over 15,600 flight hours, including 8,596 on the Boeing 787. The first officer, Clive Kunder, aged 32, had 3,400 flight hours, with 1,128 on the Dreamliner. Kunder was the pilot flying, while Sabharwal monitored the flight. The weather was clear, with light winds and good visibility, and both pilots were deemed fit to operate following standard pre-flight checks, including breath analyzer tests.
The flight began normally, with the aircraft reaching a takeoff speed of 155 knots (287 km/h) and lifting off at 13:38:39 IST. It climbed to a maximum pressure altitude of 625 feet above mean sea level, approximately 3,240 feet above ground level, when disaster struck. According to the AAIB’s preliminary report, at 13:38:42 IST, both engine fuel cutoff switches transitioned to the “CUTOFF” position within one second of each other, causing an immediate loss of engine power. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) captured a critical exchange: one pilot, now believed to be Kunder, asked, “Why did you cut off?” The other, presumed to be Sabharwal, responded, “I didn’t.” Seconds later, Sabharwal’s voice, laced with panic, was recorded saying, “Why is fuel gone?” as the aircraft began to lose altitude.
The plane deployed its Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup power source, as confirmed by airport CCTV footage. A desperate “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” call was transmitted, but air traffic control received no further response. The aircraft crashed into the hostel complex of B.J. Medical College, a densely populated area near the airport, at 13:39:11 IST, igniting a massive fireball. Only one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, survived, though 19 people on the ground perished, and 67 were seriously injured.
The Cockpit Audio Mystery
The decrypted CVR has stunned investigators, as it suggests a moment of confusion and disbelief in the cockpit. The phrase “Why is fuel gone?” uttered by Captain Sabharwal at 3,240 feet indicates he was unaware of why the engines lost power. The earlier exchange—“Why did you cut off?” followed by “I didn’t”—points to a lack of clarity between the pilots about how the fuel cutoff switches were activated. These switches, located on the center console between the pilot seats, are designed with safety features to prevent accidental movement. Each switch has a locking mechanism requiring the pilot to pull it upward before moving it to the “CUTOFF” position, and protective guard brackets further reduce the risk of unintended activation.
Aviation experts, including Shawn Pruchnicki, a former airline accident investigator at Ohio State University, have called the incident “highly unusual.” He noted, “It would be almost impossible to pull both switches with a single movement of one hand, and this makes accidental deployment unlikely.” The AAIB report does not specify which pilot moved the switches, and the investigation has yet to “speaker-stamp” the CVR to confirm identities. However, U.S. sources cited by The Wall Street Journal suggest that Sabharwal, as the monitoring pilot, may have manipulated the switches, as Kunder was occupied with flying the aircraft. The switches were moved back to the “RUN” position seconds later, with Engine 1 showing signs of recovery and Engine 2 attempting to relight, but the aircraft could not regain sufficient thrust to avoid the crash.
Mechanical or Human Error?
The AAIB’s preliminary report has ruled out mechanical failure or design flaws in the Boeing 787 or its GE Aerospace engines as the cause, stating there are “no recommended actions” for the manufacturers. However, a 2018 U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) highlighted that some Boeing 737 fuel control switches were installed with disengaged locking mechanisms, a design also used in the Boeing 787-8, including Air India’s VT-ANB. Air India did not conduct the recommended inspections, as the SAIB was advisory rather than mandatory. This has led to speculation about a potential mechanical issue, though experts like Pruchnicki argue that the lack of prior discussion in the cockpit about a malfunction suggests human error may be a factor.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has criticized the preliminary report for relying on paraphrased CVR excerpts and lacking comprehensive data. FIP president Charanvir Singh Randhawa stated, “The report nowhere states that the pilots moved the fuel control switches,” urging patience until the final investigation is complete. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association and the Airline Pilots’ Association of India have also condemned media speculation about pilot error, particularly suggestions of intentional actions like suicide, calling them “reckless and unfounded.”
Broader Implications
The crash has reignited debates about aviation safety and the need for cockpit video recorders. Experts like John Hall, cited in The Air Current, argue that video footage could have clarified the pilots’ actions, potentially resolving whether the switch movement was deliberate or accidental. While cockpit voice and flight data recorders provide valuable data, they leave gaps that video could fill. However, pilot unions, such as the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), oppose cockpit cameras, citing privacy concerns and the sufficiency of existing recorders.
The tragedy has also raised questions about Air India’s maintenance practices and the oversight of Boeing aircraft. Following the crash, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered inspections of fuel control switches on all Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft in the country. Air India reported that precautionary inspections of its Boeing 787 fleet found no issues with the locking mechanisms.
Grief and Demands for Answers
The crash has left families and communities in mourning. Sameer Rafik, whose cousin Faizan died in the crash, told the BBC he distrusts the preliminary report and demands the release of the full CVR transcript. “I don’t believe that because both pilots were experienced enough to fly,” he said, echoing sentiments of skepticism about the official narrative. Ayushi Christian, whose husband Lawrence perished, called for justice, stating, “Action should be taken against those responsible.”
Captain Sabharwal, described by colleagues as a meticulous and reserved mentor, had recently taken bereavement leave following his mother’s death but was medically cleared to fly. First Officer Kunder, inspired by his mother’s career as an Air India flight attendant, was remembered as a humble and dedicated pilot. Their loss, alongside the 258 other victims, has left an indelible mark on India’s aviation community.
What’s Next?
The AAIB’s final report, expected within a year, will provide a more comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from the enhanced airborne flight recorders (EAFRs) recovered on June 13 and 16. Investigators, assisted by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing, are examining the pilots’ psycho-physical states, maintenance records, and potential system failures. The involvement of aviation psychologists underscores the complexity of determining whether human error, mechanical issues, or an unforeseen factor caused the fuel cutoff.
As the investigation continues, the haunting question—“Why is fuel gone?”—remains unanswered. The Air India Flight 171 crash serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of aviation safety and the need for transparency and rigor in uncovering the truth. For now, the families of the victims, the aviation industry, and the public await clarity on one of India’s most baffling aviation disasters.
