An preliminary investigation into an Air India flight AI171 accident revealed that a few seconds before the aircraft lost power and near the Ahmedabad airport, a pilot asked the other why he had cut the fuel to the engines, one action allegedly denied the other pilot, “did not do so.”
Initial report on Air India Crash states, “In cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots heard the other asking why he cut. The other pilot replied that he did not do so.”
The report mentions that both Boeing engines 787–8 Dreamliner separated a second after the takeoff. This caused the aircraft to lose height rapidly and crashed near the border of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
Investigators have denied any bird’s strike or external damage, although the cause of fuel cutoff is under investigation.
According to the report, “The aircraft achieved a maximum recorded aircraft of 180 not IAS at around 08:08:42 UTC, and soon after, the engine 1 and the engine 2 fuel cutoff switch infected the ‘run’ position with a interval of a second from ‘run’.”
The CCTV footage of the airport showed the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploying immediately after the takeoff, showing that the flight lost early electricity. The report said, “CCTV footage received from the airport deployed Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during the initial climb immediately after the lift-off.
In addition, the report states that the data downloaded from the Forward Enhanced Airborn Flight Recorder (EAFR) is being analyzed in detail.
The report also states that no immediate security action has been recommended for B787-8 aircraft or GE GENX-1B engines at this stage. However, investigators will continue to review more evidence, records and information from relevant stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the 2018 security warning from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been revived as part of the investigation investigation from the United States fuel control switch.
The FAA had earlier warned that the locking feature on these switches, which prevents the casual engine shutdown, could disintegrate. However, it did not make corrective action mandatory.
“FAA released the Special Airwelling Information Bulletin (SAIB) number NM -18-33 on December 17, 2018, about the possible disruption of fuel control switch locking feature. This SAIB model 737 was released on the basis of reports from the operators of 737 Airplane that the fuel control switch was released.”
“Fuel control switch design, including locking feature, is the same on various Boeing Airplane models, which includes part number 4TL837-3D, which is fitted in B787-8 aircraft VT-Anb. According to Air India information, the suggestions were suggested as SAIBs, 2023. However, the reason for the replacement was not linked to the fuel control switch.
On June 12 this year, London-bound Air India Boeing crashed from 787-8 Ahmedabad immediately after takeoff. The aircraft attacked a hostel building at Bij Medical College, killing 241 out of 242. The victims were former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. This incident has been one of India’s most deadly aviation disasters in recent times. (AI)