Investigators have identified pilot error as the primary cause of the June 2025 Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad. The final report highlights that fuel cutoff switches were mistakenly activated shortly after takeoff, leading to a fatal engine failure. This update provides clarity on the technical causes behind the incident that occurred during the flight from Ahmedabad to New Delhi.
The investigation into the tragic Air India flight AI423, which crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has neared completion. Air accident investigators have analyzed the cockpit voice recorder and flight data to piece together the final seconds of the Boeing Dreamliner, VT-ANB, which was bound for New Delhi.
Sequence of Events During Takeoff
According to the investigation, the aircraft began its departure at 08:08:39 GMT. Within moments, the flight reached a maximum airspeed of 180 knots before the situation turned critical. Records indicate that both the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches were moved to the 'CUTOFF' position one after the other. Cockpit recordings reveal confusion between the flight crew, with one pilot questioning the sudden action, while the other denied responsibility for the maneuver.
As a result of the fuel cutoff, the plane quickly lost altitude before it could even clear the airport boundary. The deployment of the Ram Air Turbine, which provides emergency power to aircraft systems, was captured on CCTV during the initial climb, signaling that the pilots were facing a sudden loss of power. By 08:08:47 GMT, both engines had dropped below their minimum idle speed, effectively losing thrust.
Final Attempts at Engine Recovery
Although the crew attempted to reverse the situation by moving the fuel switches back to the 'RUN' position between 08:08:52 and 08:08:56 GMT, the window for a successful recovery had already closed. While Engine 1 showed signs of restarting, Engine 2 could not recover its core speed in time to sustain flight. A distress call was transmitted at 08:09:05 GMT, shortly before the flight data recorder stopped working.
The findings point toward human error in the cockpit as the central factor in the engine shutdown. For the aviation industry and investors tracking Air India, the focus remains on the implementation of updated cockpit safety protocols and crew training procedures to prevent such procedural errors in the future. As the formal investigation process concludes, stakeholders will monitor how these technical findings influence regulatory safety requirements and operational training standards for Boeing Dreamliner operators in India.