A preliminary report into theAir India passenger plane crashthat killedat least 270 peoplelast month has found that both engines were flipped to cut off after takeoff. The 15-page report released Friday by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found that the cutoff switches for both engines were switched, one after another, within one second. The switch led to both engines losing thrust. Investigators were able to get data out of the black boxes. "In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report reads. The switch was flipped three seconds into the flight, and the flight itself only lasted 32 seconds before crashing. The report doesn't state how the switch was flipped. There had not been any defects reported relating to the fuel control switch since 2023, according to the preliminary report. One of the engines began to regain thrust; however, the second engine did not. This led to one of the pilots transmitting a "MAYDAY" call, according to the report. The left engine on the plane was installed on March 26, and the right engine was installed on May 1, according to the report. "At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers, suggesting that no significant fault has been found with the plane or its engines," the report states, referring to the makers of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamlineraircraftand its GE engines. "One of the things I think it really points out is this was not a problem with the airplane or the engines," CBS News aviation safety analyst Robert Sumwalt, former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said Friday evening. "Instead, the report indicates somebody in the cockpit shut the fuel off to those engines." Sumwalt explained that the switch is normally switched up to start the engines "to introduce fuel into the engines," and then at the completion of a flight. He said the primary question will be whether the shutoff was inadvertent or intentional, which the report did not address. "I think that's going to be a really big question right there," Sumwalt said. "Did somebody deliberately shut off the fuel, or was it somehow or another, a slip, that they inadvertently shut off the fuel." In response to the report, Air India said in asocial media poston Friday that it "stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident." "We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time," the airline said. "We acknowledge receipt of the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) today, 12 July 2025. Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully cooperate with the AAIB and other authorities as their investigation progresses." In a statement provided to CBS News, a Boeing spokesperson said: "Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected on the ground in Ahmedabad. We continue to support the investigation and our customer." The Air Current, a news site that covers the aviation industry, reported earlier this week that the investigation into the crash was zeroing in on the engines and fuel control switches. Air India flight AI171 was carrying 242 passengers and crew when itcrashed in the western Indian city of Ahmedabadon June 12, shortly after taking off for London's Gatwick airport. Officials confirmed thatone passengeron the flightwas the lone survivor. At least 29 people on the ground were killed. Air India said those on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. ICE raids in California turn violent after protesters clash with agents One year after Thomas Crooks tried to kill President Trump, here's what's known about him Udemy is Powering Enterprise AI Transformation Through Skills
