Families of the victims of the tragic Air India crash have expressed shock and grief following the release of a preliminary investigation report, which suggests that fuel supply to both engines was shut off just seconds after the aircraft took off.
The devastating crash occurred on 12 June, when the London Gatwick-bound Flight AI171 went down in a residential area of Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including individuals on the ground. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
According to a 15-page report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the fuel control switches were moved to the “cut-off” position as the aircraft was climbing shortly after takeoff. The document, part of an ongoing probe into the disaster, also includes excerpts from the cockpit voice recorder, revealing a critical exchange between the pilots moments before the crash.
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut-off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” the report stated.
The revelation has left grieving families stunned and searching for clarity. Badasab Syed, 59, who lost his brother Inayat Syed, a 49-year-old IT professional, along with his sister-in-law and their two children, spoke to the BBC, questioning whether the horrific incident could have been prevented.
“Was this tragedy avoidable?” he asked, describing the deep emotional toll the report has had on him and other affected families.
Among the 242 people onboard, 241 were confirmed dead, including 53 British nationals. The plane crashed into the hostel complex of Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College, claiming additional lives among students and residents on the ground.
Miraculously, only one person survived the crash—a British-Indian man seated in 11A, whose survival has been described as extraordinary amidst the total devastation.
The report’s findings have sparked intense public interest and growing calls for a comprehensive investigation into potential mechanical errors or pilot miscommunication, as well as accountability from airline and regulatory authorities.
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