FAA Finds No Mechanical Fault in Air India Dreamliner Crash; Human Error Under Scrutiny

New Delhi | July 25, 2025

US aviation watchdog FAA has ruled out a mechanical defect in the fuel system of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people. This comes amid ongoing investigations by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is still examining possible human or system error behind the fuel cutoff.

“We feel confident this isn’t about fuel system malfunction or accidental manipulation,” said FAA chief Bryan Bedford during a media briefing in Wisconsin.

What Happened?

The ill-fated flight AI-171 had just taken off for London Gatwick when it crashed into a medical college in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, within minutes. The crash killed all 241 people on board and 19 on the ground leaving just one survivor: 28-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British citizen of Indian origin.

Preliminary Findings

Early analysis revealed that both engine fuel control switches were suddenly moved to the “cutoff” position, resulting in a total loss of thrust. Although they were returned to “run” within ten seconds, it was too late for engine recovery.

Voice recordings captured a tense moment between the pilots, as one appeared to question the other about the switch movement. Investigators remain unsure who made the remarks.

Regulatory Response

In response, India’s DGCA issued emergency inspection orders for all Boeing 787 and 737 fuel switch locking mechanisms across Indian fleets. Air India later confirmed that all inspections were completed with no anomalies detected.

What’s Next?

The probe continues into whether the switch movement was due to human oversight, miscommunication, or a deeper system-level issue. No official conclusion has been drawn.