New Insights on Air India Crash that Claimed 260 Lives Point to Pilot Actions

A tragic aircraft accident involving an Air India flight in June resulted in the loss of 260 lives. Recent findings from the ongoing investigation are now shedding light on the events leading up to this disaster.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, new details from a black box recording suggest that the captain of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner may have intentionally switched off the fuel supply to the aircraft's engines shortly after takeoff. This information has emerged from sources familiar with the preliminary report released last week by the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has reportedly reviewed the details from the flight data recorder and listened to the cockpit recordings. Sources indicate that the first officer was at the controls of the aircraft when he questioned the captain about the fuel shutoff after they had taken off from the runway. Eyewitness accounts suggest that while the co-pilot became frantic, the captain remained composed throughout the incident.

Previously, it was unclear which pilot initiated the conversation regarding the fuel controls. The Indian report had not clarified whether the captain's action was intentional or accidental. It was noted that the captain denied having turned off the fuel switch.

The investigation revealed that both fuel controls were switched off within a second and then turned back on approximately ten seconds later. When the fuel supply is interrupted, the engines cease to provide thrust, leading to a rapid loss of altitude.

The aircraft tragically crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad, engulfed in flames upon impact. All 242 passengers on board perished, along with an additional 19 individuals on the ground. The flight was en route to London.

While the preliminary report did not draw definitive conclusions regarding the causes of the crash or the reasons for the fuel shutoff, it did not rule out potential design flaws, malfunctions, or maintenance issues. Some experts have speculated that the possibility of deliberate action or suicide could not be dismissed. In contrast, the pilots' union has cautioned against jumping to conclusions regarding the causes of the accident.

In light of these new details, several U.S. officials have advised Indian authorities to involve law enforcement in the investigation. This practice is standard in the U.S. when there are suspicions that a crash may be linked to criminal activity or security failures.

Reports indicate that the captain, aged 56, had over 30 years of flying experience. Colleagues described him as calm and gentle, with a history of responsible behavior, including abstaining from alcohol and caring for his ailing father. The first officer, in his early 30s, was relatively new to flying such a large aircraft, having undergone training with Air India in 2022.