Air India Crash Probe Points to Engine Fuel Cutoff Seconds After Takeoff
A preliminary report into the Air India crash in Ahmedabad has ruled out defects in the aircraft's fuel control switch. However, the flight recorder indicates that seconds after takeoff, the switches for both engines were moved to 'CUTOFF' and then back to 'RUN', starving them of fuel. The cockpit voice recorder captured a pilot denying they had performed this action. The investigation continues, noting a non-mandatory 2018 FAA advisory about the switch design had not been implemented by the airline.
Unpacked:
The 2018 FAA advisory highlighted potential confusion or risk associated with the design of the fuel control switches, suggesting improvements or caution. However, implementation was not mandatory, and Air India had not made those changes. This has become significant as the switches' design may have contributed to the simultaneous cutoff, raising questions about whether adherence to the advisory could have prevented the accident.
Investigators are considering several possibilities: human error, system malfunction, or design flaws. The cockpit voice recorder shows neither pilot acknowledged moving the switches, and the switches moved almost simultaneously. Despite reviewing black box data, investigators have not yet determined why the switches shifted to 'CUTOFF' during flight.
The crash has prompted Air India to cooperate closely with investigators and stakeholders. Boeing has also pledged full support to the investigation, with its CEO personally expressing condolences and offering technical assistance. Both companies are under scrutiny regarding aircraft safety, crew training, and procedural compliance following India's worst aviation disaster in decades.
While dual engine shutdowns during takeoff are extremely rare, there have been past concerns about control switch design and inadvertent operation in various aircraft. The 2018 FAA advisory itself was issued to address such risks. However, there are no widely reported previous incidents on the Boeing 787-8 involving simultaneous, unexplained fuel cutoff of both engines.