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RAINFALL: 4.1 mm ‘Both fuel control switches cut off before AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad’ The AAIB released its 15-page preliminary report of the probe into the tragic Air India plane crash RELATIVE HUMIDITY Max. 95% NIKHIL VYAS Min. 62% NEW DELHI, 12 JULY TEMPERATURE Max: 30.8˚C (-2.0) SUN RISES 05:00 hrs MOON RISES 19:50 hrs Min: 27.2 ˚C (+0.3 ) SUN SETS 18:25 hrs MOON SETS 06:04 hrs New Moon on 25 July THUMBNAILS Iga Swiatek defeated Amanda Anisimova 60, 6-0 on Saturday to win the 2025 Wimbledon Ladies' Singles Trophy. nAGENCIES IIM-Calcutta student alleges rape in hostel, one detained: A second-year student of the Indian Institute of Management – Calcutta (IIM-C) was allegedly raped in the boys' hostel of the institute.The IIM student filed a rape complaint at Haridevpur Police Station on Friday night, stating that she was called to a boy's hostel for a discussion on the job counselling and offered pizza and cold drinks, after which she fell unconscious and later realised she had been raped. (Details on Page 3) B oth fuel control switches supplying fuel to the engines of Air India flight 171 were turned off in quick succession, shutting down both the engines, before the plane crashed in Ahmedabad, seconds after taking off, revealed a preliminary report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The AAIB early on Saturday released its 15-page preliminary report of the probe into the tragic plane crash that resulted in the deaths of 260 individuals, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground in Ahmedabad on 12 June. The Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft’s engine fuel control switches transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ position within three seconds after lift-off, cutting off fuel to the engines and leading to the plane crashing in just 34 seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad on 12 June, the AAIB said in its report. According to the report findings, one of the pilots can be heard on the cockpit voice recorder, asking the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded by saying that “he did not”. Speaking on the report, Civil AI-171 crash probe report - Key takeaways l According to data from the aircraft’s black boxes, the Air India Boeing 787-8’s engine fuel control switches transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ position within three seconds after lift-off, cutting off fuel to the engines, leading to the aircraft almost immediately losing thrust. l One of the pilots can be heard on the cockpit voice recorder, asking the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded by saying that “he did not”. PATNA, 12 JULY The INDIA Alliance Coordination Committee held a marathon meeting in Patna on Saturday to discuss seat sharing as well as several other strategic matters related to the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar. However, the ‘Indian legal system is in bad need of fixing’ STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE HYDERABAD, 12 JULY Facing unique challenges, the Indian legal system is in bad need of fixing, said the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, today. Citing the delays in trial, the Chief Justice reminded that there have been cases where people were found innocent after spending decades in jail as undertrials. Addressing the annual convocation of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law in Hyderabad, CJI BR Gavai said: “Our legal system is in bad need of fixing and I remain cautiously optimistic that my fellow citizens will rise to the challenges.” Citing the ills plaguing the legal system, the CJI said: “Our country and our legal system are facing unique challenges. Delays in trials can sometimes go for decades. We have seen cases where someone has been found innocent after spending years in jail as an undertrial, and the best talent can help us resolve the problems.” The CJI also spoke about the challenges of the legal profession, pointing out that it could be emotionally isolating and mentally demanding. He also had a word of caution for those seeking foreign degrees. He reminded young students that they should not go for huge loans, putting the family under financial stress, to acquire foreign degrees just for validation. primary focus remained on the joint election manifesto of the alliance. Leaders from all constituent parties of the RJD-led alliance, including the Congress, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP), CPI-ML, CPI, and CPM, were present at the meeting, which was chaired by the Coordination Committee chief Tejashwi Yadav. l Black box data indicated that the pilots tried to restore fuel to the engines, moving both fuel control switches back to the “RUN” position, approximately 10 seconds after the initial cutoff. Engine 1 responded and its core speed began to recover, with thrust levels rising. Engine 2 also relit, but failed to regain core speed despite multiple fuel injections. l The preliminary report by the AAIB Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the AAIB's report is based on preliminary findings and one should not jump into conclusions till the final report is made public. “It will be very premature to comment on the report. The preliminary has come in but we have to wait for something concrete to come in," he told reporters. According to the 15-page report, the flight lasted around 30 seconds between lift-off and crash. The preliminary report ruled l The aircraft was deemed ruled out sabotage. It also ruled out bird strikes or hazardous materials as contributing factors. There was no evidence of birds on the flight path. airworthy, with its Airworthiness Review Certificate valid until May 2026. The engines had been installed in March and May 2025. out sabotage. It also ruled out bird strikes or hazardous materials as contributing factors. Both pilots were found fit to operate the aircraft during preflight tests and had adequate rest period. After the takeoff, “the aircraft achieved the maximum recorded airspeed of 180 Knots IAS at about 08:08:42 UTC and immediately thereafter, the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec,” the report said. “The Engine N1 and INDIA bloc talks seat-sharing for Bihar polls IMRAN MOJIB l The aircraft achieved take-off speed at 13:38 IST and lifted off. Just four seconds later, both engines began shutting down. An emergency “Mayday” was transmitted at 13:39 IST. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Tejashwi Yadav said that talks on seat sharing have begun and all parties have submitted seats of their choice. A final decision will be made soon. He rejected reports of disquiet in the alliance over seat sharing ahead of the upcoming Bihar assembly polls. Echoing his observation, VIP chief Mukesh Sahni said that discussions were held on seat sharing, and allied parties had submitted their list of claims on seats before the meeting. Seat sharing will be finalised soon. Representatives of other constituent parties of the alliance also said that there is no disagreement on any issue. N2 began to decrease from their take-off values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off.” The report further stated that in the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. “The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” it added. According to the AAIB, the pilots re-engaged the fuel switches in an attempt to relight both engines. Engine 1 showed signs of recovering thrust, but Engine 2 failed to stabilise, and the aircraft was unable to regain altitude. Pilots’ association insists on fair probe into AI plane crash STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 JULY Raising objections to a preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the tragic Air India plane crash on 12 June in Ahmedabad, the Airline Pilots' Association of India on Saturday said the tone and direction of the probe into the plane crash suggest “a bias toward pilot error”. Reacting to the report, the pilots' association in a media statement said: “The tone and direction of the investigation suggest a bias toward pilot error. We categorically reject this presumption and insist on a fair, fact-based inquiry.” Claiming a lack of transparency in the investigation, the association expressed reservations over the release of the preliminary report into the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 to the media, and said that it was "leaked" without any official signature. It also flagged the issue of experienced personnel, especially line pilots, not being included in the investigation team. Pak sponsored cross-border terrorism remains core concern: MEA STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 12 JULY India has consistently urged Pakistan to take concrete, verifiable and irreversible steps to curb terrorism emanating from Pakistan, said the latest annual report (2024) released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). “Several UN designated terrorists and terrorist entities continue to thrive in Pakistan,” the MEA said in its report. Pakistan has not demonstrated any sincerity in delivering justice to the families of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the MEA said. “Pakistan engages in disinformation campaigns and anti-India propaganda globally to vilify India. The Indian government has completely and unequivocally rejected in entirety, all such actions and statements by Pakistan on matters which are completely internal to India,” it said. “The Government of India continues to engage the international community on its position as well as Pakistan’s role in aiding and abetting terrorism in the region, particularly against India in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and beyond,” the report said.