Air India Flight 171 Crash: Pilot Actions Under Scrutiny as Key Details Remain Unreleased
Air India Flight 171 Crash: Pilot Actions Under Scrutiny as Key Details Remain Unreleased
New details from India’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report into the Air India Flight 171 crash, which occurred last month, have fueled intense speculation regarding its cause. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, en route to London, tragically killing 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived.
The 15-page AAIB document, released this past Saturday, reveals that two fuel cut-off switches were moved to the ‘cut-off’ position seconds after takeoff, depriving the engines of fuel. While flight recorder data indicates the engines were subsequently restarted, it was too late to avert the disaster. These crucial switches, designed with a locking mechanism to prevent accidental activation, are typically only used for engine startup and shutdown.
Adding to the mystery, the report mentions a conversation where one pilot asked the other, “why did you cut off?” with the response being “I did not do so.” However, the AAIB report notably omits a direct transcript from the cockpit voice recorder and fails to identify which pilot spoke. This omission, along with the lack of detail on the 10-second gap between the switch activation and the engine restart attempt, has drawn sharp criticism from aviation experts and industry professionals.
Commentators and online discussions have veered towards theories of deliberate action by a pilot, a notion strongly condemned by the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association. They warn against “irresponsible” and “insensitive” allegations based on incomplete information, urging against premature conclusions. Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, has echoed this sentiment in a memo to staff. The consensus among interviewed experts is that vital information is still being withheld, preventing a complete understanding of the tragedy.
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