India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday released its preliminary report on the deadly June 12 crash of Air India flight AI171, that went down moments after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The disaster claimed 260 lives.
According to the AAIB, the aircraft suffered a catastrophic dual engine failure just 90 seconds into its ascent. The report stated that both engines lost power simultaneously following an unexpected shutoff of the fuel supply, leading to a rapid descent and crash.
How did the global media report on crash probe findings?
The report has triggered intense global media coverage, with some international outlets focusing on the technical cause of the crash and some raising questions about cockpit procedures undertaken by pilots.
CNN reported that the “engine fuel supply was cut just before India jet crash”, quoting safety analyst David Soucie, who said that fuel switches are designed for intentional use and accidental shutdowns are “extremely rare”.
BBC’s coverage, however, sparked widespread backlash for its caption on a video report, “Pilot cut off fuel to engine – no fault with plane”. The framing suggested pilot error without acknowledging the full context of the AAIB’s findings, including a 2018 FAA bulletin warning about potential malfunction of the fuel control switch locking mechanism.
The New York Times and The Guardian provided more nuanced reports, both highlighting that the engine fuel switches were turned off before the crash. The Telegraph reported, “Air India pilot asked why fuel had been cut off moments before fatal crash”. Meanwhile, Metro UK went further, placing apparent blame on the crew with its headline, “Air India plane crash investigation focuses on ‘mistake’ made by pilots.”
Netizens react to foreign media’s coverage
The BBC’s report, in particular, drew strong criticism in India. Popular YouTuber and former pilot Gaurav Taneja (aka Flying Beast) accused the broadcaster of prematurely absolving Boeing. “Boeing has a lot of questions to answer. BBC already gave Boeing a clean chit,” Taneja said. Writer and stand up comedian Varun Grover also slammed the reportage and wrote, “White man will always stand with the white man. Shame.”
Veteran journalist Barkha Dutt called the BBC’s reporting “scurrilous” and pointed out that the AAIB report clearly mentions an FAA advisory about a potential fuel switch malfunction. “Why would you not consider a fuel switch malfunction given the documented FAA advisory?” she questioned on X.
Journalist Vir Sanghvi also weighed in and wrote, “The leaks selectively quoting (& misinterpreting) the preliminary report into the Air India crash clearly originate in the West where Boeing, engine manufacturers etc. want to blame the pilots and claim they themselves were not culpable.”
Social media users also urged Air India to “fight to get the truth out”, warning that prematurely blaming pilots could irreparably damage the airline’s reputation.
The AAIB’s report revealed that a 2018 FAA advisory had flagged the “potential for disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature” in certain Boeing aircraft, including the 787-8. However, since the advisory was not mandatory, the suggested inspections were reportedly never carried out by Air India.
The fuel switch mechanism, a critical component designed to prevent inadvertent shutoff, is now at the center of the investigation. Boeing has said it is cooperating fully and will defer to AAIB under international aviation protocols.