NEW DELHI • The investigation into the fatal crash of Air India Flight 171 has narrowed its focus to the movement of engine fuel control switches in the cockpit, according to a detailed report by The Air Current. Analysis of the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) has raised questions about whether these critical switches may have been improperly operated—accidentally, mechanically, or otherwise—before the aircraft lost thrust and crashed.
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The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which took off from Ahmedabad, began descending rapidly after reaching an altitude of just 650 feet, ultimately crashing and killing 241 of the 242 people on board, as well as 19 individuals on the ground. The tragedy marks one of the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is leading the probe in accordance with international aviation safety protocols.
What Are Fuel Control Switches?
The twin fuel control switches—located below the throttle quadrant—are critical components designed to regulate fuel flow to the aircraft’s engines. Each switch has two positions: "Run" and "Cutoff." They are typically operated only on the ground—during engine startup or shutdown. In-flight use is limited to emergency scenarios, such as engine failure or fire, when a crew member must manually shut down an engine.
According to the report, in-flight movement of a fuel control switch from "Run" to "Cutoff" would immediately halt fuel delivery, resulting in an instantaneous shutdown of the associated engine and loss of thrust. Additionally, this action would disable the two electrical generators linked to the engine, disrupting multiple aircraft systems and displays.
The switches are guarded by metal side brackets and fitted with stop-lock mechanisms that require a deliberate upward lift before movement—designed to prevent accidental activation.
In cases of engine fire, the affected switch also provides a critical visual alert by illuminating red, helping the crew make rapid and accurate decisions.
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