The Air India crash in Ahmedabad last month, which resulted in the deaths of 260 people, continues to be a subject of intense scrutiny and speculation. A preliminary investigation report released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has raised several questions, particularly concerning the operation of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner's fuel cutoff switches. The report indicates that these switches, which control the flow of fuel to the engines, were flipped in sequence shortly after takeoff.
According to the AAIB's preliminary findings, the fuel cutoff switches transitioned from the 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position within a second of each other. This occurred moments after the aircraft achieved its maximum airspeed of 180 knots. The cockpit voice recorder captured a conversation where one pilot questioned the other about cutting off the fuel, with the other pilot denying responsibility. However, the report also noted that at the crash site, both fuel switches were found in the “run” position, and there were indications of the engines relighting before the crash.
These revelations have ignited a flurry of speculation, with some media outlets suggesting the possibility of pilot error or even deliberate action. However, these speculations have been met with strong criticism from various quarters. The United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has cautioned against premature conclusions, emphasizing that investigations of this magnitude require time. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy described recent media reports on the crash as "premature and speculative".
The AAIB has also appealed to the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives, denouncing "selective and unverified reporting" by some international media outlets as irresponsible. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has even sent legal notices to certain publications, asserting that the findings were unsubstantiated and not endorsed by any competent authority.
Amidst the controversy, aviation experts are offering their perspectives on the available data. Captain Ehsan Khalid, an aviation expert, has presented a "mathematical calculation" to debunk the theory that the pilots deliberately crashed the plane. According to him, the rapid sequence of events and the physics involved make it unlikely that the pilots could have intentionally caused the crash. He argues that blaming the pilots is an attempt to deflect the investigation.
Another aviation expert, Captain Mohan Ranganathan, has pointed to the sequence of fuel cutoff switches and cockpit audio to suggest that the crash may have stemmed from deliberate actions. He noted that the fuel cutoff switches are designed to prevent accidental movement to the 'off' position, suggesting that moving them requires deliberate manual selection.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging restraint in drawing conclusions until all the facts are established. The AAIB has reiterated that its objective is to determine what happened, identify the root causes, and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The final report will be published only after a thorough investigation conducted in accordance with international protocols. In the meantime, the focus remains on gathering and analyzing evidence to determine the precise sequence of events that led to this tragic accident.
