The preliminary report on the Air India flight 171 crash near Ahmedabad has ignited a storm of questions, rather than providing clear answers, leaving families of the 260 victims seeking "justice and answers". The report, released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), reveals a catastrophic engine shutdown shortly after takeoff on June 12, caused by the plane's fuel switch transitioning from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" within seconds of takeoff, leading to a fatal crash. This has triggered intense scrutiny and debate, particularly regarding the role of the pilots and the potential causes of the accident.
The report includes a chilling detail: a cockpit conversation where one pilot asks the other why he cut off the fuel, and the other replies that he did not. This revelation has fueled speculation and concern, with aviation experts and the pilots' association criticizing the report for being biased and raising more questions than answers. Sanjay Lazar, an aviation expert, has expressed that the investigative authority should have made the entire transcript of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) public, instead of just informing the public about one line. The selective release of information, particularly concerning the switches, leaves many questions unanswered.
Adding to the complexity, Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has cautioned that the findings are preliminary, emphasizing the need to await the final report. The AAIB's preliminary findings stated there were no mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft. Air India's CEO, Campbell Wilson, stated that the probe was "far from over" and the pilots had passed all pre-flight checks.
The report also references a 2018 advisory from the US Aviation Authority regarding Boeing 737 planes, warning of a compromised fuel switch system, adding another layer of intrigue, as the Boeing 787 uses a similar mechanism. Despite this, it was reported that the planemaker and the FAA had privately issued notifications to airlines and regulators that the fuel switch locks on Boeing planes were safe and checks were not required.
Adding to the debate, an aviation expert noted that the fuel switches are designed to prevent accidental shut-offs, as they are spaced apart on the center console between the pilots. This design makes it unlikely that both switches could be simultaneously turned off unintentionally.
The incident has brought back memories of previous aviation disasters in India, including the Air India Express Flight 812 crash in 2010 at Mangalore International Airport, where the aircraft overshot the runway, resulting in 158 fatalities. Investigations revealed that the primary cause was human error, with the captain ignoring repeated alerts from the co-pilot and the aircraft's ground proximity warning system.
The current situation has parallels to the Mangalore crash, where initial findings and the final report sparked considerable discussion and debate regarding pilot error, airport infrastructure, and systemic issues within the airline industry. These past incidents highlight the critical importance of thorough investigations, transparent reporting, and the implementation of safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
