Why did you cut off?: Last chat of AI pilots before crash

Sat, 12 July 2025

12:24

A month after the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed at least 270 people, a preliminary report showed the engines' fuel switches shifted from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' within seconds of each other after take-off.

The 15-page report was published early Saturday by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), revealed the chats between two pilots before the horrific crash.

"In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the preliminary report on the Air India crash said.

At the time the aircraft took off, the co-pilot was flying the plane, while the captain was monitoring.

The aircraft took off at 08:08:39 UTC (13:38:39 IST) and at about 08:09:05 UTC (13:39:05 IST) one of the pilots transmitted 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY'.

"The ATCO (Air Traffic Controller) enquired about the call sign. ATCO did not get any response but observed the aircraft crashing outside the airport boundary and activated the emergency response," the report said.

TOP STORIES

Gill ignored; Ishan, Rinku in India's squad for T20 World Cup

All-rounder Axar Patel was named vice-captain of the squad, which also saw the return of in-form Ishan Kishan, who pipped Jitesh Sharma as the second wicketkeeper behind Sanju Samson.

Anti-India slogans raised at funeral of slain B'deshi leader

Bangladesh is set to hold the funeral of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi amid tight security following unrest triggered by his death. The funeral prayer will be held at the National Parliament Building. The country is also observing a day...

Seven arrested over Hindu man's lynching in Bangladesh

Seven people have been arrested in Bangladesh in connection with the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, who was killed over alleged blasphemy.

Imran Khan, Wife Get 17 Year Jail Term

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been sentenced to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana corruption case, involving alleged fraud related to state gifts.

Players Who Missed T20 World Cup Squad

India's T20 World Cup squad had space for only 15, but the pool of quality options ran far deeper. The consequence was inevitable: several players with genuine claims were left on the outside, the unlucky ones who narrowly missed the cut.