A US investigation into the 2022 crash of a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 in southern China has found that the fuel switches were likely deliberately turned off mid-flight, according to a report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). All 132 people on board died when flight MU5735 crashed into a hillside in Guangxi on 21 March 2022.
The NTSB report, released under the Freedom of Information Act, revealed that both fuel switches controlling the flow of fuel to the engines were moved from the 'run' to the 'cut-off' position while the aircraft was cruising at 8,839 metres. Engine speeds decreased after the movement, and there was no indication that the switches were ever turned back on.
The findings support speculation that the pilots may have intentionally caused the crash, China's deadliest air disaster in decades. The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder survived the impact, which broke the aircraft into around 40,000 pieces. Chinese authorities have not yet released a final report, but the Civil Aviation Administration of China has stated that the crew held valid licences, were adequately rested, and passed health checks.
Aviation experts commented on the findings. Neil Campbell, a former air safety investigator, said turning off jet-fuel switches in flight is highly unusual and looks like a 'deliberate event'. Tony Stanton of Strategic Air noted that the data is 'very difficult to reconcile with a conventional dual-engine mechanical failure' and is more consistent with a commanded fuel shut-off, though it does not prove motive or who moved the switches.
The NTSB is assisting Chinese authorities because Boeing is an American manufacturer. The report comes amid ongoing investigations into other crashes involving fuel switches, including an Air India crash in 2025.
