Fact Check: The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash was caused by pilots accidentally cutting off fuel.

Fact Check: "The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash was caused by pilots accidentally cutting off fuel."

What We Know

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, resulting in the deaths of 241 out of 242 people on board. A preliminary report from India's Air Accident Investigation Bureau indicated that the aircraft's fuel control switches were switched from the "run" position to "cutoff" just three seconds after takeoff, leading to a loss of thrust and altitude (NPR, BBC). The cockpit voice recordings revealed a conversation between the pilots, where one asked, "why did he cutoff," and the other denied having done so, suggesting confusion about the switch's operation (NPR).

The investigation has not yet determined the exact reason for the switches being turned off, and there is no evidence of mechanical failure or external factors such as a bird strike that could have caused the engines to fail (NPR, BBC). The report does mention that fuel contamination could potentially lead to engine failure, but the fuel samples taken from the aircraft were deemed satisfactory (BBC).

Analysis

The claim that the crash was caused by pilots accidentally cutting off fuel is supported by the preliminary findings of the investigation, which clearly state that the fuel switches were turned off shortly after takeoff. However, the report does not conclude that this action was an accident or that it was solely responsible for the crash. The investigation is ongoing, and while the actions of the pilots are under scrutiny, the exact circumstances leading to the switch being turned off remain unclear (NPR, Gulf News).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is generally high, as they include established news organizations and official reports from aviation authorities. However, it is important to note that preliminary reports are subject to change as investigations progress. The lack of definitive conclusions about the pilots' actions or the reasons behind the switch being turned off means that while the claim has a basis in fact, it is not fully substantiated.

Conclusion

The claim that "the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash was caused by pilots accidentally cutting off fuel" is Partially True. While the preliminary report confirms that the fuel switches were indeed turned off by the pilots shortly after takeoff, it does not provide conclusive evidence that this action was accidental or the sole cause of the crash. The investigation is still ongoing, and further findings may clarify the situation.

Fact Check: The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash was caused by pilots accidentally cutting off fuel.