Overview

• Cockpit voice recordings reviewed by U.S. investigators and reported by the Wall Street Journal indicate Commander Sumeet Sabharwal intentionally moved fuel-cutoff switches three seconds after takeoff.
• The AAIB’s preliminary report confirmed the fuel-switch positions but did not identify who acted, and India’s Civil Aviation Ministry has labeled Western conclusions unilateral.
• Air India’s own inspections and the AAIB found no mechanical or maintenance faults, triggering scrutiny of the 787’s cockpit switch design and emergency procedures.
• Black-box transcripts capture First Officer Clive Kunder’s repeated “why did you do this?” questions and his unsuccessful attempts to restart both engines.
• International protocols require a final accident report within 12 months, and regulators are weighing new cockpit-camera mandates and enhanced pilot mental-health screening.