Report Reveals Double Engine Shutdown in Air India Crash
The preliminary investigation into the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI171 has revealed a chilling sequence of events: both of the aircraft's engines were shut down within seconds of takeoff, leading to a complete loss of power and the deaths of over 270 people. The findings, detailed in a report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), point to a critical issue with the engine fuel control switches and a moment of profound confusion in the cockpit.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed less than a minute after departing from Ahmedabad on June 12. The aircraft struck a medical college hostel, killing all but one person on board and 19 people on the ground.
A Catastrophic Failure in 32 Seconds
The investigation's key findings from the flight's final moments paint a picture of a rapidly unfolding disaster:
- Dual Engine Shutdown: The flight data recorder confirmed that the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were moved from the "RUN" to the "CUTOFF" position. This action, occurring one after the other, would have immediately starved the engines of fuel and caused a complete loss of thrust.
- Confusion in the Cockpit: The cockpit voice recorder captured a critical exchange between the pilots. One is heard asking, “Why did you cutoff?” The other replies, “I didn’t.” This brief but telling conversation suggests the shutdown was not a coordinated, deliberate action. Investigators believe it points to either an accidental switch movement or a critical system failure.
- Rapid Power Loss Confirmed: The deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a small emergency propeller that provides backup power, was seen on CCTV footage. Its activation confirms the total loss of power from the main engines.
- A Desperate Restart Attempt: In the final seconds, the crew attempted to recover the situation by moving the fuel switches back to the "RUN" position. Data indicates that one engine began to show signs of relighting, but the aircraft crashed before the sequence could be completed and power could be restored.
- Thrust Lever Discrepancy: A puzzling discovery was made in the wreckage. The physical thrust levers were found in the idle position, but the flight data recorder showed they were still in the takeoff position. This points to a possible mechanical disconnect between the cockpit controls and the engines.
- No External Factors: The investigation has so far ruled out any external contributing factors. There was no evidence of a bird strike, the weather was clear, the fuel was clean, and no fire was reported before the impact.
A Missed Warning and Unanswered Questions
The investigation also brought to light a crucial piece of information: a 2018 safety bulletin from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had warned of a potential flaw in the fuel control switch locking system on similar Boeing models. However, because the advisory was not mandatory, the recommended inspection had not been performed by the airline.
The ongoing probe, which includes international experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Boeing, and GE, will now focus on determining the exact cause of the switch movement. The findings will be critical in understanding this tragedy and preventing a similar disaster in the future.
