The preliminary report into the Air India Flight 171 crash that occurred last month, killing over 270 people, has brought forth startling details, prompting aviation experts to weigh in on the possible causes. While the investigation is ongoing, the preliminary findings suggest a scenario that potentially rules out pilot error, pointing instead towards a possible malfunction within the aircraft's systems.

The report, released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), indicates that the fuel supply to the engines was cut off just seconds after takeoff. Specifically, the fuel control switches for both engines were moved to the "cut-off" position almost simultaneously. This action starved the engines of fuel, leading to a loss of thrust. The report also includes a disconcerting exchange between the pilots recorded on the cockpit voice recorder (CVR). In the recording, one pilot is heard asking the other why he initiated the cutoff, to which the other pilot responded that he did not.

This revelation has led some aviation experts to suggest that a fault within the aircraft's systems may have been responsible for the crash. CBS News aviation safety analyst Robert Sumwalt, former chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, stated that the report indicates someone in the cockpit shut the fuel off to those engines. Investigators at the crash site found that both engine fuel switches were in the RUN position. However, the preliminary report states that there had not been any defects reported relating to the fuel control switch since 2023.

Normally, these switches are in the "on" position during flight, and the reason for their cutoff remains unclear. While one of the engines was able to restart after the switches were moved back, it was unable to prevent the plane from crashing. This sequence of events suggests a potential electrical or mechanical malfunction that caused the fuel switches to move independently of the pilots' actions.

Aviation experts emphasize that the preliminary report is unlikely to delve into the causes of the crash but will highlight the steps investigators are taking, key findings, the sequence of events, and available evidence. The investigation is ongoing, with support from Boeing.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and reliability of modern aircraft systems. If a system malfunction can lead to such a catastrophic event, a thorough review of safety protocols and maintenance procedures is warranted.