Unraveling the Mystery: Cockpit Audio Reveals New Insights in Air India Flight 171 Crash Investigation

Investigators have made some shocking discoveries in the preliminary investigation of the Air India Flight 171 crash, which tragically killed 260 people in June. Just after takeoff, both fuel-control switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner moved to the “cut-off” position. This cut off fuel supply, causing a total loss of engine power. Such a switch action usually happens only after landing.

Cockpit recordings reveal confusion among the pilots. One pilot questioned why the switches were turned off, but the other insisted he didn’t do it. At that moment, the co-pilot was flying while the captain monitored.

The flight managed to climb for about 40 seconds before crashing into a bustling neighborhood in Ahmedabad, India. During initial checks, the plane reached 625 feet before losing location data. A detailed report from the investigation is ongoing, involving experts from several countries, including the US and UK.

What’s particularly perplexing is the fuel switch design. Normally, the lever-lock switches are designed to prevent accidental activation; they require a particular movement to unlock. An anonymous air accident investigator noted that flipping both switches with one hand is nearly impossible.

Shawn Pruchnicki, a former accident investigator at Ohio State University, voiced concerns about whether the switch action was intentional or accidental. “Typically, such errors happen with clear indications of a problem, but here there were no signs of panic or confusion,” he explained.

The former managing director of the US National Transportation Safety Board, Peter Goelz, echoed these concerns. He suggested that the cockpit voice recorder likely contains more details that could explain what happened in those critical seconds.

Recent data indicates that misunderstandings or miscommunications in the cockpit can lead to accidents. A study by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) emphasized the importance of clear communication. In many incidents, small errors escalate quickly, especially when there’s confusion in high-pressure situations.

Adding to the mystery, it was revealed that there had been a prior administrative bulletin by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning similar fuel control switches in other Boeing aircraft. The FAA indicated that some switches might have been installed with their locking feature disengaged. However, this wasn’t considered unsafe enough to necessitate mandatory inspections.

Other experts have highlighted the significance of the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT), which is designed to deploy during complete engine failures, a sign of dire system failure. This deployment supports the idea that both engines lost power.

Capt. Kishore Chinta raised a crucial point: if the switches malfunctioned due to issues with the plane’s electronic control system, it could mean serious implications for aviation safety.

The investigation continues to examine fuel samples and mechanical issues, but preliminary results showed no evidence of contamination. Both pilots were deemed fit to fly after passing breathalyzer tests, and their performance was scrutinized.

In the rush of emergency, the pilots attempted to recover the flight, but it wasn’t enough. With time running out, decisions had to be made in mere seconds.

In summary, while the investigation is still in its early stages, these findings raise vital questions about aviation safety practices. They highlight the need for cockpit video recordings to provide clearer insight into critical moments. This case may reveal deeper issues in aircraft design and pilot training, making air travel safer for everyone.



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