In a troubling update regarding the Air India Flight 171 crash that claimed 260 lives in June, investigations have revealed preliminary insights that deepen the mystery surrounding this tragic event. Following takeoff, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's fuel-control switches were inexplicably moved to the "cut-off" position. This switch disables fuel to the engines, resulting in complete power loss. Cockpit voice recordings capture a perplexing exchange between the pilots, with one asking why the cut-off was initiated, only for the other to deny any action.
The incident unfolded rapidly, with the aircraft barely airborne for 40 seconds before crashing into a densely populated neighborhood in Ahmedabad, India. The plane reached an altitude of 625 feet in clear conditions before losing its location data 50 seconds post-takeoff, according to Flightradar24. Investigators from various aviation authorities are combing through wreckage and cockpit recordings to unveil the cause of such an unexpected and catastrophic failure.
The investigation has brought to light several pressing questions about the fuel-control switches. These switches, designed to mitigate accidental engagement, require a specific action to unlock them before shifting the position. Experts have expressed skepticism about how both switches could be moved unintentionally, pointing out that considerable force is typically required for such an action.
Former airline accident investigator Shawn Pruchnicki emphasized the need for clarity on whether the pilot’s action was inadvertent or deliberate. The cockpit recordings suggest that the pilots encountered no abnormal conditions during takeoff—making an accidental switch activation anomalous. Further, Peter Goelz, a former director at the NTSB, remarked that shutting off the fuel supply within seconds of flight is deeply troubling and suggests an interaction with a critical element in the cockpit.
As investigators continue to probe the cockpit voice recording, they acknowledge the challenge of identifying which pilot manipulated the fuel switches. Current efforts focus on reconstructing the timeline of communications leading up to the crash, alongside proposals to employ cockpit video recorders for enhanced future clarity.
Both pilots passed breathalyzer tests and were deemed fit for duty, and had adequate rest prior to the flight. However, attention has also turned to a 2018 FAA bulletin concerning potential safety deficiencies related to Boeing’s fuel-switch locking feature—an assertion that has raised eyebrows among seasoned investigators.
The technical aspects of the aircraft may also be under scrutiny, with discussions around whether an electronic malfunction could have caused the switches to cut fuel without pilot input. As the investigation unfolds, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment, indicative of a critical systems failure, has been highlighted.
Pilots have recounted that during dual-engine failure scenarios, reactions become instinctual, often diverting attention away from landing gear status and focusing on the most effective emergency landing strategies. Investigators believe that as the engines stalled, the crew attempted to regain thrust but were unable to do so before the plane descended beyond recovery.
The need for a comprehensive understanding and open dialogue about the factors leading to such aviation disasters is paramount as details continue to emerge from this harrowing incident.
