Preliminary Findings on Air India Crash

A preliminary investigation report has shed light on the tragic crash of an Air India flight, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India released the report, highlighting that the fuel control switches on the aircraft were moved from “run” to “cutoff” just before the crash. This incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London.

FAA’s Advisory Bulletin and Air India’s Compliance

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) in December 2018, addressing concerns about the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature. However, this bulletin was advisory rather than mandatory, as it did not classify the issue as an “unsafe condition.” Air India informed investigators that it did not conduct the suggested inspections since they were not obligatory.

Technical Details and Maintenance Records

Fuel control switches are crucial for regulating fuel flow to an aircraft’s engines, with positions labeled as ‘RUN’ and ‘CUT OFF.’ The investigation revealed that during the flight, both Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF within a second of each other. Although the switches returned to RUN, one pilot issued a distress call. Maintenance records showed that the throttle control module had been replaced in 2019 and 2023.

Ongoing Investigation and Responses

The report did not assign blame but mentioned a conversation between pilots questioning the fuel cutoff action. Boeing expressed its commitment to supporting the investigation and extended condolences to those affected. Air India stated its cooperation with stakeholders and regulatory bodies as investigations continue.