'Pilot intentionally shut off fuel control switches'; shocking revelation in Ahmedabad plane crash

NEW DELHI: A shocking claim has surfaced regarding last year’s Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera has reported that one of the pilots intentionally shut off the aircraft’s fuel control switches moments before the crash. The report is said to be based on cockpit voice recordings. According to the newspaper, the final investigation report also points to this finding.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has not yet responded to these claims. The accident happened shortly after the aircraft took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, bound for London. The crashed aircraft was an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. All passengers except one were killed in the crash.

The plane crashed onto a hostel building where medical students were staying. Some students in the hostel also lost their lives.

There were 242 people on board, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew members. Among the passengers were 53 British nationals, 169 Indians, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian citizen.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those who died. He was reportedly travelling to London to visit his daughter. Ranjitha Gopakumar, a native of Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district, was also among the victims.