The recent preliminary report by India's Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the Air India Flight 171 crash has raised more questions than answers, amid the tragic loss of 241 lives on board and 19 others on the ground. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner met its fate just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad, heading to London, and one passenger managed to survive the disaster.
The 15-page document, released within the required 30-day timeframe, outlines the incident but stops short of providing firm conclusions on the cause of the crash. Notably, it details that two fuel cut-off switches were inadvertently moved to the 'cut-off' position shortly after take-off, leading to a loss of engine thrust. Despite efforts to restart the engines, the actions came too late to avert disaster.
The report includes dialogue between the pilots, with one questioning why the switches were cut off, yet crucial details such as who spoke remain undisclosed. Experts have criticized the AAIB's selective reporting and the exclusion of cockpit voice recorder transcripts that would offer context to the pilots' conversation.
In the aftermath of the report's release, unverified claims have surfaced suggesting that one of the pilots may have intentionally caused the accident. This speculation has provoked backlash from aviation professionals, including the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association, which has condemned such allegations as irresponsible and ethically misguided.
Further controversy stems from the report referencing a 2018 FAA safety bulletin regarding potential faults with fuel cut-off switches on specific Boeing aircraft. However, the FAA later clarified that this issue did not compromise safety. The investigation’s vagueness and lack of detailed information have led industry insiders to express their frustration, positing that the report may be an attempt to obscure certain facts while hinting at possible explanations.
Critical concerns linger as the investigation continues, leaving many to ponder the reliability of preliminary findings and the lengthy process for a final report, which could take up to a year. As the aviation community and affected families await clarity, the AAIB is urged to provide a more comprehensive account of the events surrounding the tragic crash.
