Preliminary Findings Indicate Fuel Cut in Air India Crash

Recent investigations into the tragic Air India flight crash that occurred last month have revealed preliminary findings suggesting that the captain may have intentionally cut the fuel supply to the aircraft's engines. This assertion stems from a cockpit recording that captured the dialogue between the two pilots, as reported by a U.S. source familiar with the ongoing investigation.

The incident, which took place on June 12 in Ahmedabad, India, resulted in the loss of 260 lives, marking it as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent years. According to the source, the first officer, who was operating the Boeing 787 at the time, questioned the captain's decision to alter the fuel switches, which led to a loss of fuel supply to the engines. The captain was reportedly asked to restore the fuel flow, but the circumstances surrounding the switch manipulation are still under scrutiny.

While there is no definitive cockpit video that reveals which pilot adjusted the fuel switches, the context of their conversation has led investigators to focus on the captain's actions. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India, which is leading the probe, has expressed concerns over media speculation, stating that conclusions drawn prematurely could undermine the ongoing investigation.

Typically, aviation accidents result from a combination of factors, and the AAIB has indicated that a comprehensive final report will be available within a year. A preliminary report released by the AAIB noted that shortly after takeoff, one pilot inquired about the fuel cutoff, while the other denied having made such an adjustment. The report further stated that the fuel switches were shifted from 'run' to 'cutoff' within a second of each other right after the aircraft took off.

Post-takeoff, it was observed that a backup energy source known as a ram air turbine deployed, indicating a power loss from the engines. The aircraft experienced a significant reduction in thrust, and after climbing to an altitude of 650 feet, it began to descend rapidly. The report indicated that attempts to restart the engines were made, but the aircraft was too low and slow to regain control, resulting in a catastrophic crash into a structure on the campus of a nearby medical college.

The incident claimed the lives of 19 individuals on the ground and 241 of the 242 passengers on board. Following the release of the preliminary findings, the CEO of Air India reaffirmed that the aircraft had undergone all necessary maintenance and did not exhibit any mechanical faults prior to the crash.

In response to the findings, both the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing have communicated privately that the fuel switch mechanisms on their aircraft remain safe. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has been assisting the AAIB with the investigation, including analyzing the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder.

Aviation safety experts have emphasized the importance of learning from such incidents to enhance the safety of international air travel. The Air India crash has reignited discussions regarding the potential implementation of cockpit image recorders, which could provide valuable visual insights during investigations.