Inside the Cockpit: Air India Flight VT‑ANB Blow‑by‑Blow Analysis
[Premium image: Boeing 787 cockpit | caption: “Cockpit layout of Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, similar to VT‑ANB.”]
📅 Overview
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI‑171 (VT‑ANB), a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Runway 23. Of the 242 occupants, 241 perished; only one survived. The preliminary AAIB report reveals a shocking event during initial climb: both engine fuel-cutoff switches moved to “CUTOFF,” resulting in loss of thrust and a catastrophic dive.
✈️ Aircraft & Flight Details
- Registration: VT‑ANB, Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, ~11 years old, twin General Electric GEnx‑1B70 engines.
- Occupants: 230 passengers, 12 crew.
- Route: Ahmedabad → London Gatwick.
- Pilots: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (56, ~15,600 hrs, 8,500+ on 787), and First Officer Clive Kunder (32, ~3,400 hrs, 1,128 on 787) :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
⏱️ Timeline: Seconds That Shook Aviation
- 08:08:39 GMT (13:38 IST): Takeoff initiated; liftoff confirmed.
- 08:08:42 GMT: Reached ~180 knots → both fuel-cutoff switches flipped from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within ~1 sec :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- 08:08:47 GMT: Engine N1/N2 decay below idle; RAT deployed for backup power :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- 08:08:52–56 GMT: Switches returned to “RUN”; engine 1 relights; engine 2 weakly relights :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- 08:09:05 GMT: “Mayday! Mayday!” voice call before data cut-off six seconds later :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
- Outcome: Unable to regain altitude → crashed into BJ Medical College hostel building – 241 onboard + 19 ground fatalities :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
🎙️ Cockpit Voice Recording – What Do We Hear?
“Why did you cut off?”
“I did not do so.”
The audio indicates confusion. Neither pilot claimed to have initiated the cutoff. This has triggered intense speculation over intent or error :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
🧑✈️ Pilot Profiles
| Pilot | Age | Total Hours | 787 Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain Sumeet Sabharwal | 56 | 15,600+ | 8,500+ |
| First Officer Clive Kunder | 32 | 3,400+ | 1,128 |
🔍 What Could Have Caused the Fuel Switch Movements?
- Deliberate movement: Investigators note fuel switches require deliberate manual action; unlikely accidental :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
- Mechanical fault: No reports of mechanical failure; Boeing and FAA had previously issued a 2018 bulletin on switch locking design—no enforced AD yet :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
- Human error or intent: Ongoing debate. U.S. agencies are exploring criminal intent given clarity and timing of movements :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
🌏 Broader Safety & Industry Impact
- FAA/Boeing stance: No immediate AD; Boeing supports investigation :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
- Global pilot notices: Etihad, South Korea, and others issued urgent advisory to crews operating 787s :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
- Cockpit video debate: Renewed calls for cameras to complement voice recorders after ambiguity in cockpit actions :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
👥 Reactions: Speculation, Uncertainty & Pilot Unions
The Wall Street Journal cited cockpit audio suggesting an intentional cutoff by the captain, sparking intense coverage :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}. But Air India and the Federation of Indian Pilots urged caution. FIP spokeswoman C.S. Randhawa emphasized preliminary findings don’t assign blame :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
🚨 Why This Crash Stands Out
- First fatal accident involving Boeing 787 Dreamliner since 2011.
- One of the deadliest aviation tragedies in India—260 total casualties :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
- Raises profound questions over cockpit controls, design, and pilot oversight.
🧭 What Happens Next?
- Final AAIB report: Due within one year—will include exhaustive DFDR/CVR analysis.
- International involvement: NTSB, FAA, Boeing, and GE collaborating.
- Regulatory scrutiny: Possible new mandates on cockpit video, switch locks, or automation safeguards.
- Legal paths: If intent is suspected, criminal investigations could follow.
❓ FAQs – Clarifying the Confusion
Q1: Could both engine switches flip off by mistake?
No—engine fuel-cutoff switches are deliberate, spring-loaded mechanisms not prone to accidental movement :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
Q2: Why demand cockpit videos now?
Video would clarify pilot behavior and confirm whether the action occurred intentionally—a debate reignited by this tragedy :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
Q3: When will the full report come?
The AAIB’s final report is expected within a year of the incident (June 2026), in line with international aviation protocols.
Q4: Does this implicate Boeing or GE?
Currently, no technical defect is identified; Boeing and GE complied with all safety directives. The focus remains on human factors.
🔗 Suggested Internal & External Links
- Internal: Link to your aviation safety, Boeing Fleet Analysis, and AVGeek coverage.
- External: Link authoritative sources like AAIB, FAA Safety Notices, and Reuters for updates.