Understanding the Role of Fuel Switches in Aviation

Fuel switches are critical components in aircraft, responsible for regulating the flow of fuel into the engines. These switches are essential for starting or shutting down engines on the ground and can also be used to manually shut down or restart engines during flight if necessary. Aviation experts emphasize that these switches are designed to prevent accidental movement, as any change would immediately impact engine power.

Location and Operation of Fuel Switches on Boeing 787

On a Boeing 787, such as the one involved in the Air India crash, the fuel control switches are situated below the thrust levers. The aircraft in question was equipped with two GE engines. These switches are spring-loaded to maintain their position, requiring a deliberate action by the pilot to move them from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ or vice versa. This involves pulling the switch up before transitioning it between modes.

Details of the Air India Flight Incident

The preliminary investigation into the Air India crash revealed that shortly after takeoff, both engine fuel switches were moved from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ within a second of each other. This action led to a loss of engine power. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot questioning why the fuel was cut off, with the other pilot denying any involvement. The report did not specify which pilot made each remark. Despite this brief transition to ‘CUTOFF’, both switches were found in the ‘RUN’ position at the crash site. According to aviation safety protocols, moving the switches back to ‘RUN’ should trigger an automatic relight and thrust recovery sequence for each engine. However, this did not prevent the tragic outcome.

Expert Opinions on Fuel Switch Mismanagement

Aviation safety expert John Nance highlighted that no rational pilot would intentionally turn off these switches during flight, particularly during ascent. This underscores the mystery surrounding their movement during this critical phase of flight.