The ongoing investigation into the recent Air India Dreamliner crash is reportedly honing in on the movement of the aircraft’s engine fuel control switches, critical components for engine operation.
The Tragic Air India Crash
On June 12, Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick. The catastrophic accident claimed the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board, along with several individuals on the ground.
This incident marks India’s worst aviation disaster in four decades and the first fatal crash involving Boeing’s latest wide-body aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner. The global aviation community is closely watching the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Fuel Switches Under Scrutiny
While official details remain scarce, reports from US media outlets like The Air Current and Reuters suggest a key focus area for investigators: the engine fuel control switches. These switches are vital, controlling the fuel flow to the plane’s engines, effectively allowing or cutting off supply.
Investigators are analyzing data from the aircraft’s black boxes to determine if these switches were moved during the take-off phase. The black box data, including flight parameters and cockpit audio, is being meticulously examined at the AAIB lab in Delhi.
Understanding Engine Fuel Control Switches
Pilots and aviation experts emphasize that moving these switches requires deliberate action. They are designed with protective brackets and a “stop lock” mechanism, meaning a pilot must lift the switch before moving it between its “RUN” and “CUTOFF” positions.
Normally, these switches are operated only on the ground to start engines before departure or shut them down after landing. In flight, their movement is reserved for emergencies, such as an engine failure or damage requiring a shutdown for safety.
If an engine issue arises in flight, pilots follow a strict, methodical checklist to shut down the problematic engine. It’s an action typically performed by both pilots, usually after the aircraft has reached a safe altitude.
What the Black Boxes Might Reveal
The aircraft’s black boxes, which include the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, are crucial. They should provide clear data on whether the fuel switches were indeed moved during or after take-off, alongside extensive engine performance information.
While the focus is currently on these switches, investigators caution that it’s too early to draw conclusions. Aircraft accidents are complex, often resulting from a series of events rather than a single cause. The investigation remains open to other possibilities.
Other Known Details and Theories
Before the crash, the aircraft experienced an evident loss of thrust shortly after climbing to about 400 feet, and a “mayday” call was issued. Amateur videos also show the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploying moments before impact.
The RAT is an emergency power source, a last resort that generates power when primary systems fail. However, it’s most effective at higher altitudes, allowing pilots time to react. In this instance, the plane was barely off the ground.
The absence of immediate advisories from Boeing or engine manufacturer GE to other 787 operators suggests that mechanical issues with the aircraft type are not currently considered likely causes. A preliminary report is expected soon, outlining basic facts, with the final report likely within a year.
- The Air India Dreamliner crash investigation is reportedly focusing on engine fuel control switches.
- These switches control fuel flow and require deliberate, protected actions to move.
- Normally operated on the ground, their in-flight movement is typically reserved for emergencies like engine failure.
- Black box data is crucial to determine if these switches were moved during the flight’s initial moments.
- The investigation is complex, with no single cause confirmed, and may explore various factors including the deployment of the emergency Ram Air Turbine.
The aviation world awaits further insights as experts continue to meticulously analyze all available data to determine the precise sequence of events leading to this tragic accident.
