Air India crash investigation focuses on pilots as fuel switches found turned off in 260-death Ahmedabad disaster: report

The investigation into June’s devastating Air India crash is looking into a baffling pilot action, according to a new report.

The investigation into June’s devastating Air India crash is reportedly looking into the pilots of the doomed flight, with early assessments from US officials not indicating any issues with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.

India, British, and US officials are carrying out the probe.

Preliminary findings suggest that the switches controlling the fuel flow to the aircraft’s two engines were turned off, resulting in a noticeable loss of thrust shortly after takeoff, according to WSJ’s sources.

The switches are used to start the plane’s engines, shut them down, or reset them during specific emergencies.

The switches would typically be on during flight, though it’s unclear how or why they were turned off.

The sources also revealed it was unclear whether the move was accidental or intentional, or whether the pilots tried to turn them back on.

It comes as Indian forensic investigators identify all 260 people killed in the London-bound passenger plane.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the probe into one of the deadliest air disasters in decades, and an initial report is expected as early as today.

Investigation focuses on pilot actions after fuel switches controlling both engines were found turned off shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad. Picture: Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images

All but one of the 242 people aboard the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner were killed when it crashed on June 12.

The plane ploughed into a built-up area of the western city of Ahmedabad just after takeoff.

Nineteen people were killed on the ground.

But specialist website The Air Current, citing multiple sources familiar with the investigation, also reported it had “narrowed its focus to the movement of the engine fuel switches”, while noting that full analysis will “take months – if not longer”.

It added that “the focus of the investigators could change during that time”.

But “at this point in the inquiry, the data available to investigators does not indicate a mechanical or design issue” with the 787 plane, or its engines.

The site said its sources “indicated that post-accident analysis showed no sign of fuel contamination or improper retraction of the aircraft’s flaps”, over which there had been speculation.

Gruesome race to determine final death toll

Indian health officials initially said at least 279 people were killed, but forensic scientists reduced the figure after multiple scattered and badly burnt remains were identified.

“The final death toll in the plane crash now stands at 260,” Rakesh Joshi, head of Ahmedabad’s main state hospital, told AFP this week.

“All the human remains found so far from the crash site have been identified and handed over to their families.”

All 260 victims of the June 12 Air India crash have been identified through DNA analysis and remains returned to families. Picture: Sam Panthaky / AFP

“Our work is now over … we have matched DNA of all the mortal remains that were collected from the crash site.”

The UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation stipulates that states heading an investigation must submit a preliminary report within 30 days of an accident.

That report, however, does not have to be made public.

According to the ICAO, preliminary reports “may be marked as confidential or remain public at the investigating state’s discretion”.

On Tuesday this week, health authorities handed over the remains of 26 victims to their relatives, or, for families who had already received parts of their dead kin’s bodies and held funerals, carried out ceremonies for them.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with sole survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh. The British citizen walked out of the wreckage and has since been discharged from hospital. Picture: AFP

“Seven families collected the remains of their kin … while 19 families gave consent to the hospital to carry out the rites,” Mr Joshi said.

There were 230 passengers, including 169 Indians, 53 British, seven Portuguese and a Canadian, along with 12 crew members.

Dozens of people were injured, with two remaining in hospital.

Only one passenger miraculously survived, a British citizen who was seen walking out of the wreckage of the crash, and who has since been discharged from hospital.