Preliminary Report Sheds Light on Air India Crash

A month after the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed the lives of at least 270 people, a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has been released. This report provides crucial insights into what is considered the worst aviation disaster in India in decades. The 15-page document reveals that the engines’ fuel switches were inexplicably shifted from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ shortly after take-off, a critical factor that may have contributed to the crash.

Cockpit Conversations Highlight Critical Moments

The cockpit voice recordings captured a tense exchange between the pilots. One pilot questioned the other about cutting off the fuel supply, to which the latter denied any such action. This conversation is pivotal in understanding the sequence of events that led to the crash of the Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 on June 12.

Efforts to Recover Control

Data from Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFR) indicates that moments after the fuel switches were moved to ‘CUTOFF’, they were transitioned back to ‘RUN’. This suggests that the pilots attempted to regain control of the aircraft. Despite commercial planes like the 787 Dreamliner having sufficient power to take off with a single engine, this effort was unsuccessful.

Technical Insights and FAA Advisory

The report explains that when fuel control switches are moved from ‘CUTOFF’ to ‘RUN’ mid-flight, each engine’s full authority dual engine control (FADEC) manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence. However, the EAFR recording ceased shortly thereafter, and a MAYDAY alert was issued by one of the pilots. Tragically, communication with Air Traffic Control was lost as the aircraft crashed outside the airport boundary.

Crash Impact and Aftermath

The fully fueled aircraft rapidly lost altitude and collided with a hostel for medical students, resulting in an explosion that killed all but one of the 242 passengers on board and approximately 30 individuals on the ground. The plane was airborne for only 32 seconds before disaster struck.

Pilot Experience and Safety Concerns

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 8,200 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours, were both experienced and medically fit. The report found no immediate evidence of sabotage but noted an FAA advisory regarding a potential flaw in fuel switch locking mechanisms on Model 737 aircraft. Although not deemed an unsafe condition, this issue raises questions about safety protocols.

Historical Context and Comparisons

The report also draws parallels with a similar incident in the 1980s involving a Delta Air Lines pilot who mistakenly cut off fuel but managed to restart engines due to higher altitude. This comparison underscores the critical nature of altitude and timing in such emergencies.