In the preliminary report released on the Air India Boeing 787 crash that killed 260 people (241 onboard and 19 on the ground), investigators found that the engines’ fuel supply was cut off shortly after takeoff. According to the published data, the two switches controlling fuel flow shifted from RUN to CUTOFF within less than one second of each other. The pilots attempted to restore fuel flow, but it was already too late—especially at such a critical phase of flight.

Several pilots have spoken out, noting that these switches require “some force” to be moved, precisely to prevent accidental shutdowns. This raises a key question investigators have yet to answer: how did this happen? From what I’ve read, these switches are mechanical, so it’s unclear whether they could change position on their own. For now, we wait for the final report.

Below is the timeline of events, as detailed in the preliminary report:

05:47 GMT (11:17 IST) – Air India’s Dreamliner VT-ANB landed in Ahmedabad from New Delhi as flight AI423.

07:48:38 GMT – The aircraft was observed departing Gate 34 at the airport.

07:55:15 GMT – The aircraft requested taxi clearance, which was granted by air traffic control. One minute later, it began taxiing from the gate to Runway 23 via Taxiway R4, then backtracked and lined up for takeoff.

08:02:03 GMT – The aircraft was handed off from ground control to tower control.

08:07:33 GMT – Takeoff clearance was granted.

08:07:37 GMT – The aircraft began its takeoff roll.

08:08:39 GMT – The aircraft lifted off. “The air/ground sensors transitioned to airborne mode, consistent with takeoff,” the report noted.

08:08:42 GMT – The aircraft reached its maximum speed of 180 knots. “Immediately after this, the fuel cutoff switches for engines 1 and 2 changed from RUN to CUTOFF one after the other, with a one-second interval.”

“N1 and N2 engine RPMs began to drop from takeoff power levels as the fuel supply was interrupted.”

“In the cockpit voice recording, one pilot is heard asking the other why he cut off the fuel.”

“The other pilot responded that he did not.”

“CCTV footage from the airport showed deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during the initial climb, immediately after takeoff.”

“The aircraft began losing altitude before it could clear the airport perimeter wall.”

08:08:47 GMT – Engine RPMs “dropped below minimum idle levels,” and the RAT’s hydraulic pump began supplying hydraulic power.

08:08:52 GMT – The fuel cutoff switch for engine 1 was moved from CUTOFF to RUN.

08:08:56 GMT – The fuel cutoff switch for engine 2 was also moved from CUTOFF to RUN. “When the fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN while the aircraft is airborne, the engine’s Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system automatically manages a relight sequence with ignition and fuel reintroduction.”

“Engine 1’s core deceleration was halted, reversed, and began recovery. Engine 2 managed to relight but was unable to stop the core from decelerating, despite repeated fuel injections attempting to regain RPM.”

08:09:05 GMT – One of the pilots broadcast: “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.”

08:09:11 GMT – Data recording ceased.

08:14:44 GMT – The airport fire truck departed to begin rescue and firefighting operations.