A cockpit recording from the Air India crash last month suggests the captain may have turned off the engine fuel switches shortly after takeoff, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing early U.S. assessments. The first officer, surprised and panicked, questioned the captain’s action, while the captain reportedly remained calm. The crash occurred on June 13, 2025, near Ahmedabad, killing all onboard.
The preliminary investigation report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau raised concerns about cockpit confusion and the position of the fuel cutoff switches. This has sparked debate over whether the action was intentional or accidental.
Pilot unions have strongly objected to suggestions of pilot error. The Airline Pilots Association of India called for a fair and fact-based inquiry, while the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association warned against premature conclusions and the vilification of the crew. Air India, Boeing, and India’s aviation authority have not commented.
Credit: CGTN
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