Where are the fuel cut-off switches on the 787? Anywhere near the flap or gear controls?

Is it possible for them to be moved by some automated system or only by human action?

22 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Where are the fuel cut-off switches on the 787? Anywhere near the flap or gear controls?

Is it possible for them to be moved by some automated system or only by human action?

This is the configutation they are under the throttles, you have to pull them out then down and back in to close them, it is designed to be impossible to close them by mistake, and there is no procedures for shutting them both down after V2 and under 500 feet, It would be tricky to do them both at the same time unless you are using both hands. This scenario has never happened before, A few pilots online are claiming 'Mental Health' at this point so I will just leave it at that, the investigation is ongoing

 

Thanks @Matthew Kane. I suspected they would be similar to other Boeing aircraft.

11 minutes ago, Matthew Kane said:

, you have to pull them out then down and back in to close them, it is designed to be impossible to close them by mistake, 

I see, not simply flicking a switch like a light.

Ahmedabad isn't the only hot humid place that time of year, but somehow imagining profuse amounts of sweat dripping down one of the pilots' arms into those little orifices while he held the thrust levers. But I can't see that having any impact, especially not for both engines within a second of each other.

One has to hand it to the 787. This is its first fatal accident, and more likely than not, not a fault of the aircraft.

I've somehow hated it as an economy passenger, but also can't complain. My first flight on Norwegian LA to Munich and back via Stockholm was like 200 USD roundtrip about 15 years ago. No food, not even a cup of water included at that price, extremely cramped and uncomforrable. More recently Munich Taipei and back around 600 euro, good food and plenty of drinks, just uncomfortable seats. And I hate the automatic window shades. But the seating configuration and type of seats is flexible for the airlines. I want cheap and safe and that's exactly what I'm getting.

 

Well worth watching this one explains alot especially at the end

 

@pete_auau, very informative video, thanks. Having watched all 20 minutes I’m now sure I know what was the cause of the crash.

Background checks on the flight crew should follow.

The fuel control switches were then placed back into the run position and the engines went into a relight cycle, I believe the left engine lit and was starting to spool up, but sadly too little too late.

 

So, are they looking at suicide here, or just mental fatigue?

8 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

So, are they looking at suicide here, or just mental fatigue?

I suspect we'll never get a definitive answer.

8 minutes ago, DD_Arthur said:

I suspect we'll never get a definitive answer.

For the sake of India Airlines I believe it’s essential knowing what the cause was however painful it might be. Otherwise you’re looking at a cover-up and those never end well.

3 hours ago, Christopher Low said:

So, are they looking at suicide here, or just mental fatigue?

Either one, we might never know. If one is trying hard enough it is possible to find a scenario where the fuel could be cut off accidentally but even then it is unlikely that it would not be noticed immediately. I mean, it would require that the notches between the two switch positions weren't there, or for both switches to be positioned halfway on top of these notches. Not impossible, but very unlikely.

So either a pilot was very confused and switched those off when he was actually trying to do something else or it was done deliberately.
I guess the investigation will concentrate on the background of those pilots.

1 hour ago, Allard said:

I guess the investigation will concentrate on the background of those pilots.

and someone from America (boeing) will remind Air India and the Indian Governement of this 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_aid_to_India#:~:text=Aid received&text=The United States Agency for,to be USD 65.1 billion.

and the indians will put a report out that the americans like and agree with.  

 

Edited July 12, 2025Jul 12 by fluffyflops

1 hour ago, Allard said:

Either one, we might never know.

best for everyone.  No legals cases  from the passengers familes against Boeing, and no legal cases against Air India, TATA or the Indian government 

9 minutes ago, fluffyflops said:

best for everyone

Air Accident Investigators will come to their conclusions. That’s their job.

Remember Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes…

”when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

 

50 minutes ago, fluffyflops said:

and someone from America (boeing) will remind Air India and the Indian Governement of this 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_aid_to_India#:~:text=Aid received&text=The United States Agency for,to be USD 65.1 billion.

and the indians will put a report out that the americans like and agree with.  

India has a GDP of $3.6 TRILLION. Don't be so offensive to claim that they're influenced by $65B over 80 years.