The preliminary investigation into the catastrophic Air India crash has revealed chilling details about what caused the jetliner to go down moments after takeoff — and it all points to a sudden fuel cutoff mid-flight.
The tragedy, which occurred on Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London, claimed at least 270 lives, including passengers, crew, and people on the ground. The only survivor was pulled from the fiery wreckage in what investigators are calling a “miracle.”
Engines Starved of Fuel Seconds After Takeoff
In a report released Friday, investigators say both of the aircraft’s engines lost power seconds after leaving the runway. According to flight data, the fuel switches for both jet engines were flipped from the “RUN” position to “CUTOFF” in rapid succession — cutting off the fuel supply mid-ascent.
Voice recordings from the cockpit added another eerie layer to the unfolding disaster. One pilot can be heard urgently asking the other, “Why did you hit the cutoff switch?” to which the second pilot responds, “I didn’t.”
Desperate Efforts to Save the Plane
About 10 seconds after fuel was cut, the system attempted to restart the engines as fuel began flowing again. The aircraft’s automatic restart sequence kicked in, but it was too late.
The pilots sent out a chilling “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” call 20 seconds after the cutoff, but the plane plummeted out of the sky before they could regain control.
Black box recordings ceased just moments later as the plane smashed into a building near the airport perimeter, sparking a massive fireball that was caught on video and has since circulated widely online.
A Devastating Death Toll
The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew. Tragically, nearly everyone on board perished, along with additional victims on the ground, bringing the total death toll to 270.
Incredibly, one passenger was pulled alive from the mangled wreckage, defying all odds. The sole survivor — whose identity has not yet been released — is said to be in critical condition but conscious.
Unanswered Questions: Human Error or Mechanical Failure?
The revelation about the fuel switches has triggered an urgent investigation into whether the cutoff was caused by:
- Human error — Did one of the pilots accidentally flip the switches?
- Mechanical failure — Could a system fault have triggered the cutoff?
- Sabotage — Are there any indications of intentional interference?
Aviation safety experts say it’s highly unusual for both engines to lose fuel simultaneously unless manually commanded or due to a severe technical failure.
Survivors’ Families Demand Answers
Grieving families of the victims have gathered at Air India offices demanding accountability. Many are calling for immediate grounding of similar aircraft until the investigation provides definitive answers.
“This wasn’t an accident — this was a systems failure on every level,” said one relative of a passenger who died in the crash. “We deserve to know if it was a mistake or something more sinister.”
A Shocking Reminder of Past Disasters
The incident draws comparisons to previous aviation tragedies like the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes involving Boeing 737 MAX jets, which were later linked to critical design flaws.
However, investigators caution it’s too early to draw parallels, emphasizing that the focus now is determining why the fuel cutoff occurred at such a critical phase of flight.
What’s Next in the Investigation?
Authorities are combing through:
✅ The aircraft’s maintenance history
✅ Air traffic control recordings
✅ Background checks on the pilots and crew
✅ Security footage from the airport and onboard cameras
The final report is expected to take 6–12 months, though preliminary findings are already sparking calls for tighter safety protocols across the airline industry.
The Internet Reacts to the Tragedy
Social media has been flooded with tributes, prayers, and outrage:
💬 “That one survivor is a miracle. I hope they recover and can tell us what happened.”
💬 “This is absolutely horrifying. Air India and the regulators have a lot to answer for.”
💬 “How could both engines be shut off like that? Something doesn’t add up.”
This is a developing story. Stay with The Pop Radar for the latest updates on the Air India crash and investigation findings.
📝 Do you think this was human error, mechanical failure, or something more? Share your thoughts in the comments.
