US Officials Blame Air India Captain for Fatal Crash After Fuel Cut
By Aviation Safety Desk | July 22, 2025
US investigators have placed preliminary blame on the Air India captain for the recent fatal crash, saying he intentionally cut fuel supply to one engine moments before impact.
The early findings come from black box data and cockpit voice recordings recovered from the wreckage. According to officials, the pilot’s actions appear to have triggered a critical engine failure, ultimately leading to the crash.
“Initial evidence strongly indicates a manual fuel cutoff by the captain,” said a senior U.S. aviation safety official.
The crash killed several passengers and crew members and has drawn intense scrutiny from global aviation authorities. The flight was en route from New York to Mumbai when it lost power midair and made a failed emergency descent.
Furthermore, air traffic control recordings show the crew did not declare a full-scale emergency until seconds before the crash, leaving little time for intervention.
In addition, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is working closely with Indian aviation regulators to verify the exact sequence of events.
“This is a highly sensitive case involving complex human and mechanical interactions,” said the NTSB spokesperson.
Air India has declined to comment on the preliminary findings but confirmed full cooperation with international investigators.
Meanwhile, families of victims are demanding transparency and accountability, calling for public release of full investigation details.
Finally, if confirmed, the findings could trigger major changes in Air India’s training, cockpit protocols, and oversight mechanisms.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE