Fuel Cut-off Mystery: Initial Report on Ahmedabad Plane Crash Released

One month after the catastrophic crash of Air India flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London on June 12, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its initial 15-page report. The incident, which occurred moments after takeoff, tragically claimed the lives of 260 people, including all but one of the 242 individuals on board and 19 on the ground, as the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a medical hostel campus.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu addressed the report, stating, "This is an initial report, we are thinking about it in the ministry. We are talking to AAIB so that they can get the necessary assistance. We hope that the final report will come soon so that we can reach a conclusion." He also expressed strong confidence in India's aviation workforce, saying, "I truly believe that we have the best workforce in the world in terms of pilots and crew. Pilots and crew are the backbone of the aviation industry."

Key Revelations from the Initial Report

The AAIB's preliminary findings shed light on crucial aspects of the accident:

• Normal Takeoff Configuration: The report confirmed that the aircraft's flaps were set at 5 degrees and the landing gear lever was in the "down" position at the time of takeoff, both being normal and standard procedures.

• No Evidence of Conspiracy: The investigation so far has found no clear evidence of any conspiracy or sabotage in the plane.

• Engine Fuel Cut-off: A critical revelation is that the fuel cutoff switches for both Engine 1 and Engine 2 moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" within one second of each other shortly after the aircraft reached a speed of 180 knots. This action immediately cut the fuel supply, causing the power of both engines to decrease rapidly.

• Pilot Confusion: Cockpit voice recordings captured a bewildering exchange between the two pilots, with one asking the other, "Why did you shut down the engine?" and the other responding that they had not done so.

• Attempted Recovery: The pilots immediately attempted to avert the accident by moving the engine fuel switches back to the "RUN" position. The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed during the initial climb, indicating a serious technical problem. While Engine 1 showed signs of recovery, Engine 2 did not stabilize, and the aircraft was unable to regain altitude.

The crash occurred approximately 30 seconds after liftoff, with the pilots issuing a "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" call just seconds before impact. The investigation is ongoing, and the AAIB will review additional evidence to determine the precise cause of the fuel cutoff and the ultimate reason for the tragic disaster.