Air India Crash Blamed on Human Error, Not Boeing Fault

Ahmedabad, India — The deadly crash of Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787, was not caused by technical failures but by human action, according to US investigators. The preliminary findings reveal that the pilots manually deactivated the aircraft’s fuel switches shortly after takeoff, cutting engine thrust and leading to disaster.

The switches in question are protected by metal covers and are designed to be used only during engine startup or emergencies. Aviation safety expert John Cox emphasized the improbability of accidental activation, stating, “You can’t just run over them and activate them.”

The flight crashed just 32 seconds after leaving Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board, along with 19 fatalities on the ground. Only one passenger survived, marking this as the first total loss of a Boeing 787 and India’s most serious aviation accident since 1996.

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Black box data showed the emergency air turbine system (RAT) deployed automatically after both engines lost power. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure, fuel contamination, or flap issues. Neither Boeing nor General Electric has issued safety alerts regarding the incident.

Key questions remain as to why the fuel switches were activated so soon after takeoff—whether through grave error or intentional action. A preliminary report is expected this Friday. Meanwhile, Air India faces scrutiny over allegations of manipulating maintenance and safety records.