A preliminary report into the fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner is expected by Friday 11th July, according to three individuals familiar with the investigation. One of the sources indicated that the probe has zeroed in on the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches.

The London-bound jet, which crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, plummeted after reaching just 650 feet in altitude. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived, and additional casualties were reported on the ground.

Investigators have reportedly concentrated on the behavior of the engine fuel control switches in the final moments of the flight. This follows analysis of both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, as well as a simulation conducted by Boeing, one source told Reuters.

So far, the investigation has not indicated any mechanical fault with the aircraft, and no advisory has been issued to airlines regarding the operation of 787s. The Air Current aviation outlet was the first to report the narrowed focus on the engine control components.

It remains unclear exactly what investigators are examining in relation to the switches. Sources told The Air Current that available data from the black boxes neither confirms nor rules out accidental, improper, or deliberate manipulation of the switches before the engines apparently lost thrust.

Aviation safety expert John Cox said that the fuel switches aren’t easily triggered. “You can’t just bump them they won’t move that easily,” he noted. If a switch were turned off, the loss of engine power would be immediate, he added.

While most air accidents stem from a combination of factors, the Indian probe is at least partially centered on loss of engine thrust, a point also reported by Reuters in June.

Though the accident report could be made public by the end of the week, the sources cautioned that the timeline might shift and that the level of detail in the initial document remains uncertain. They spoke anonymously as they were not authorized to brief the media.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, leading the probe under international protocols, has not responded to media inquiries made outside regular hours.

The investigation has faced criticism over transparency, including a two-week delay in retrieving flight data and limited communication with the public. Only one government press conference was held following the crash, with no media questions allowed.

Two senior officials revealed that India reversed a prior decision to block participation by a U.N. aviation expert. A specialist from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has now been granted observer status in the investigation. ICAO declined to comment, noting that any discussion of its involvement must be authorized by the host country.

The tragedy comes as the Tata Group works to modernize Air India, which it acquired from the government in 2022, aiming to restore the airline’s credibility. The incident also raises concerns as India positions itself as a rising global aviation hub, aspiring to compete with regional giants like Dubai.

Meanwhile, a parliamentary committee is set to examine aviation safety and has summoned both government and industry representatives for questioning on Wednesday.

The session is expected to include a discussion on the Air India crash.