Investigation Reveals Cockpit Confusion in Air India Crash

NEW DELHI - A preliminary investigation into the tragic Air India crash that occurred last month, resulting in the loss of 260 lives, has highlighted significant confusion within the cockpit just prior to the accident. The report indicates that the fuel cutoff switches for the engines were activated almost simultaneously, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust shortly after takeoff.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which was on a flight from Ahmedabad to London, began to descend almost immediately after liftoff, as evidenced by footage from closed-circuit television. The activation of a backup power source, known as a ram air turbine, was detected, signaling a critical power loss from the engines.

During the final moments of the flight, communications captured on the cockpit voice recorder revealed a concerning exchange between the pilot and co-pilot. One pilot questioned the other about the fuel cutoff, to which the response indicated that the action was not taken by him. The report, however, does not specify which pilot made each statement, nor does it clarify who issued the emergency distress call just before the crash.

The captain of the aircraft, with extensive experience amounting to over 15,000 flight hours, was accompanied by a co-pilot with over 3,400 hours of experience. The report notes that the fuel switches transitioned from the 'run' position to 'cutoff' just after takeoff. However, it does not provide an explanation for how this malfunction occurred.

Indian officials, including the Civil Aviation Minister, have urged caution in drawing conclusions before the final report is released. The incident poses a significant challenge for Tata Group, which has been working to rehabilitate Air India's image since acquiring the airline from the government in 2022. Air India has acknowledged the preliminary findings and confirmed its cooperation with the investigative authorities, but has refrained from further commentary.

Experts in aviation safety have expressed skepticism regarding the possibility of a pilot inadvertently switching the fuel controls. The report details that the switches flipped within a second of each other, suggesting a deliberate action rather than an accidental maneuver.

The cutoff position is typically used to shut down engines upon arrival at the gate or in emergency scenarios, though the report found no indications of an emergency that would necessitate such a drastic measure.

At the crash site, both fuel switches were discovered in the 'run' position, and there were signs that the engines attempted to reignite before the aircraft's impact with the ground, which occurred in a residential area after the plane lost altitude rapidly.

In the aftermath of the crash, further scrutiny has been placed on Air India as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency announced plans to investigate its budget airline subsidiary, Air India Express, for failing to comply with directives regarding engine part replacements on an Airbus A320.

India's aviation sector is rapidly expanding, with government aspirations to establish the nation as a global aviation hub, akin to Dubai. The outcomes of these investigations could significantly influence the future trajectory of Air India and its operations.