A leading Australian aviation expert has weighed in on the deadly Air India crash that shook the aviation world last month, claiming that the Pilot of the ill-fated flight may have intentionally shut down the aircraft’s fuel supply.
On June 12, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, crashed into a residential building in Ahmedabad just moments after take-off. The aircraft was carrying 242 passengers and crew, with only one survivor. An additional 19 people on the ground were killed in the tragic incident.
Now, new findings from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have revealed that fuel control switches were manually turned off just three seconds after takeoff, triggering a catastrophic chain of events. Though the switches were eventually turned back on, restoring power to one engine, the aircraft had already lost significant thrust and crashed shortly after.
The shocking detail has raised grave questions about the cockpit actions in the final moments. According to The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. pilot sources familiar with the investigation, black box data indicates that the switches were turned off by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, the pilot-in-command. The voice recorder also captured a tense exchange between Captain Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who was flying the aircraft at the time and reportedly challenged the senior pilot’s decision.
In an interview with Sky News Australia on Thursday, veteran pilot and aviation analyst Captain Byron Bailey described the act as deliberate.
“To us aviation people … we believe straight away that the only way this could have happened is if the captain turned off the fuel control switches,” Captain Bailey said.
He explained that the switches are mechanical, not electrically operated, and require deliberate physical effort to engage.
“The first one, which is right by his right hand, three seconds up and lift off – and the second one, one second later,” he said.
“They’re mechanical, they’re not worked by electricity and they require absolute physical effort to lift the switch up.”
Captain Bailey’s remarks have added weight to growing concerns that the crash may not have been accidental. While the official investigation has not yet concluded on motive or intent, experts emphasize that accidental engagement of the fuel cutoff switches is highly unlikely.
The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has so far declined to comment on potential criminal implications, but insiders confirm that a criminal probe is underway.
The tragic loss of life, both in the air and on the ground, has intensified calls for transparency and accountability within Air India and the broader aviation community.
Flight 171’s crash marks one of the worst aviation disasters in India’s recent history, prompting renewed scrutiny over cockpit procedures and mental health evaluations for pilots. Families of the victims are now pressing authorities for answers, and justice.
