The preliminary report (released June 2024) into the Air India Flight 171 crash, which killed 260 people on June [date not specified, needs clarification from original article], reveals that both fuel-control switches were abruptly moved to "cut-off" shortly after takeoff, causing total power loss. The cockpit voice recording includes one pilot asking the other why the cut-off occurred, with the other denying responsibility; however, it's unclear who said what. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (56) and co-pilot Clive Kunder (32), with over 19,000 combined flight hours on Boeing 787s, were both cleared in pre-flight checks.

Speculative media reports, including those in the Wall Street Journal, Reuters, and Corriere della Sera, have focused on the senior pilot's potential involvement. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in India and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have criticized the premature speculation, with the AAIB calling the reporting "irresponsible". Pilot associations have also condemned the rush to judgment, urging a focus on reviewing the aircraft's maintenance history and documentation alongside the cockpit voice recorder data.

The investigation is ongoing, with the final report expected in approximately one year. While the preliminary report indicates the fuel switches were manually turned off, investigators are maintaining an open mind, considering possibilities such as pilot error, unintentional actions, or a malfunction in the aircraft's Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. The lack of a full cockpit voice recorder transcript in the preliminary report has further fueled speculation.

Impact Statement: The ongoing investigation and media speculation surrounding Air India Flight 171's crash have raised concerns about aviation safety and the responsible reporting of accident investigations. The final report will be crucial in determining the root cause of the crash.