A preliminary report by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) details the crash of Air India Flight AI171, which occurred last month in Ahmedabad. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost momentum shortly after takeoff due to fuel supply being cut to both engines. The black box recorded that the fuel switches for both engines were turned to the cutoff position, coinciding with the plane reaching an airspeed of 180 knots.
An audio exchange revealed uncertainty between the pilots about why the fuel switches were turned off. Although both engines could be revived moments later, it was too late to prevent the descent. The report does not clarify how the switches were inadvertently turned or if it was a technical failure. Aviation expert Jeffrey Dell noted that flipping both switches by mistake is unlikely, indicating a more complex scenario.
Former pilot Asan Khalid emphasized the need for caution in ascribing blame to the pilots, pointing out that both were aware of the engine failure. There’s a suggestion of possible regulatory issues based on a 2018 FAA bulletin, though Air India did not conduct related inspections. A comprehensive report is still upcoming, with India’s civil aviation minister urging patience before drawing conclusions. The crash resulted in the deaths of all but one of the 242 individuals onboard and 19 people on the ground.
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