‘Why did You cut the fuel?’- AAIB report reveals cockpit confusion behind Ahmedabad Air India Incident

In a chilling revelation from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), critical pilot miscommunication and a procedural lapse were found to be at the heart of the recent Air India aircraft incident in Ahmedabad. The bureau released a 15-page report detailing the moments leading up to the failed takeoff attempt, highlighting key cockpit conversations and technical data from the aircraft's voice recorder.

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The report shows that during the takeoff roll, both pilots were engaged in a brief yet crucial exchange regarding the aircraft’s fuel supply. One pilot questioned the other: "Why did you stop the fuel supply?" To which the other replied, "I did not stop it." This exchange coincided with a sudden loss of fuel supply to both engines, a potentially catastrophic failure during takeoff.

Analysis of the cockpit voice recordings revealed that both engines (Engine 1 and Engine 2) had their fuel control switches in the cut-off position rather than in run, meaning fuel was not being supplied to the engines at the critical moment of takeoff. Although the pilot attempted to rectify the situation by switching the buttons back to "run", the engines did not immediately receive fuel.

Engine 1 failed entirely to operate, while Engine 2 functioned partially but did not generate adequate thrust. Within seconds of takeoff, both engines essentially failed to deliver the necessary power, forcing the pilot to declare a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control.

Importantly, the investigation ruled out the possibility of a bird strike or external damage as the cause. The findings emphasize that the incident was not due to mechanical failure, but rather a result of human error and a lack of situational awareness inside the cockpit.