A preliminary report found that turning off the fuel supply seconds after takeoff caused last month's deadly Air India crash. Flight 171 crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, India, killing everyone aboard.Investigators found the cockpit fuel control switches for both engines were moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" immediately after the plane left the ground, which stopped the fuel flow, causing a total loss of engine thrust. Efforts to restart the engines only succeeded partially before the crash occurred.Data shows the two fuel cutoff switches were turned off rapidly, about one second apart. .Recordings captured one pilot questioning the other about the cutoff. The second pilot denied moving the switches.The preliminary report does not state who moved the switches or why. It does not conclude whether the act was intentional or accidental. While experts and officials involved suggest cockpit activity directly caused the crash, the report assigns no blame..Pilot groups have cautioned against blaming human error alone before the full investigation finishes. Investigators stress there is no current evidence confirming the fuel switches were deliberately shut off for sabotage or suicide. They continue examining all possibilities, including accidental movement or a technical malfunction.The exact reason the switches were turned off remains under active investigation. The official report avoids stating any deliberate intent behind the fatal action.
