AHMEDABAD, India — An Air India flight crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing at least 260 people, according to a preliminary report released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
The report states that both engines of the aircraft lost power after the plane’s fuel supply switches shifted from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position shortly after departure.
The accident claimed the lives of 241 people onboard, including passengers and crew, and resulted in 19 fatalities on the ground. The aircraft struck several homes in a densely populated neighborhood near the airport.
Investigators recovered the cockpit voice recorder, which captured a conversation between the pilots. According to the report, one pilot asked why the fuel switches had been cut off, while the other denied turning them off. The AAIB has not yet determined whether the switch movement was accidental or intentional.
Officials stated that no mechanical defects had been reported in the aircraft’s fuel control system since 2023. The investigation is focusing on possible mechanical malfunctions, human error, or procedural failures.
Government officials have also pledged transparency throughout the inquiry, which remains ongoing.
