NEW DELHI – A preliminary investigation report into the recent Air India Express crash has revealed that pilot confusion over engine controls played a key role in the tragic incident.

The crash, which occurred during an emergency landing attempt, resulted in the deaths of several passengers and injuries to many others. According to the report, the cockpit crew mistakenly shut down the functional engine instead of the one that had malfunctioned, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the error was likely due to miscommunication and poor coordination between the captain and the first officer during the critical moments of the flight.

Investigators noted that despite a warning system indicating the engine issue, the pilots failed to verify the source of the fault before taking corrective action. This misstep ultimately caused the aircraft to lose power and crash short of the runway.

The report has prompted aviation authorities to review standard operating procedures and crew training protocols. Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, has pledged full cooperation with the investigation and said it is taking steps to enhance pilot training and safety checks.

The final report is expected after further analysis of flight data and cockpit voice recordings.