The investigation into the Air India Flight AI-171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, which resulted in the deaths of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, is now focusing on the aircraft's engine fuel control switches. These switches, which can shut off fuel supply to the engines, are being examined as a potential cause of the twin engine shutdown shortly after takeoff.
According to a report by The Air Current, investigators are looking into the possibility of "improper movement of fuel control switches in the cockpit". The report suggests that moving a switch from the "run" position to "cutoff" would immediately stop fuel flow and cause the engine to shut down. However, these switches are designed with a metal stop lock mechanism and guard brackets to prevent accidental activation, requiring the crew to lift the switch before changing its position.
The aircraft's black boxes, which include the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), were recovered and have yielded "good data". Investigators are analyzing this data to determine the exact position of the fuel control switches, as well as the timing and sequence of any changes.
Other potential causes of the crash have been reportedly ruled out. According to sources, investigators have found no mechanical or design flaws in the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner or its GE Gen X1B engines. Additionally, there was no evidence of fuel contamination or issues with the aircraft's flap retraction. An initial inspection order by India's aviation regulator, the DGCA, covering all of Air India's Boeing 787s, has not provided any clues.
The preliminary report from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is expected to be made public soon. The report is expected to provide a sequence of events, a detailed description of the accident, and the steps taken in the investigation thus far, along with any notable findings.
Meanwhile, a parliamentary panel has been questioning top Air India officials, including CEO Campbell Wilson, about airline safety standards. Lawmakers have also requested clarity on when the analysis of the aircraft's black box will be completed.
The Air India crash is the worst involving an Indian airline in decades and the first fatal accident of a Boeing 787 aircraft. The investigation is ongoing, with focus on possible inadvertent or intentional pilot error, rather than mechanical or design flaws.
