Aviation Expert Raises Concerns Over Pilot Actions

A prominent aviation safety expert has raised the possibility that the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 may have been caused by deliberate actions in the cockpit. Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a respected figure in Indian aviation, has pointed to evidence suggesting that the crash could have been a result of intentional human intervention, potentially even a suicide attempt. His analysis is based on the sequence of events involving the fuel cutoff switches and cockpit audio recordings.

Details of the Crash

The crash occurred shortly after Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick. The aircraft, carrying 228 passengers and 14 crew members, lost engine thrust just 32 seconds after takeoff and crashed into a nearby medical hostel. This incident marked the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction to commercial service in 2011.

Manual Intervention Suspected

According to the preliminary report by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), both fuel control switches were manually turned from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within seconds of each other. These switches are designed to require deliberate effort to toggle, ruling out accidental activation due to turbulence or technical failure. Captain Ranganathan highlighted discrepancies in cockpit voice recordings, suggesting possible intentional actions by one of the pilots.

Medical History and Mental Health Concerns

Captain Ranganathan has also raised concerns about the mental health and medical history of one of the pilots involved. He noted that several Air India pilots had informed him about a known medical condition affecting one of the crew members. Despite both pilots being medically certified, Ranganathan emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into their psychological well-being over recent months.

Precedents of Pilot-Induced Crashes

While rare, pilot-induced crashes have occurred in the past. Captain Ranganathan cited several international incidents where pilots deliberately caused crashes, including Germanwings Flight 9525 and Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. He criticized Indian airlines and regulatory bodies for not implementing adequate mental health safeguards for pilots.

Official Response and Ongoing Investigation

In response to these findings, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu urged caution against drawing premature conclusions from the preliminary report. He emphasized the importance of waiting for the final report before making any definitive statements about the cause of the crash.