Air India Flight 171 Crash Investigation: Cockpit Audio Raises Questions

The investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which resulted in the deaths of 260 individuals in June, has revealed alarming findings. According to a preliminary report issued on [insert date], both fuel-control switches of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were flipped to the 'cut-off' position mere seconds after takeoff, causing the engines to lose power and leading to the catastrophic incident. The cockpit voice recording indicates confusion in the cockpit, with one pilot questioning why the fuel switches were cut off, to which the other pilot responded that he did not perform that action. This ambiguity complicates the investigation, as the voice identification of the pilots remains unresolved.

The flight, which took off from Ahmedabad, India, was airborne for less than 40 seconds before crashing into a densely populated neighborhood. Initial analysis from Flightradar24 data shows that the aircraft reached an altitude of 625 feet before losing all location tracking. The investigation is being conducted by Indian authorities, with participation from Boeing, General Electric, Air India, and international experts from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and UK aviation authorities.

Investigators emphasize the significance of the fuel-control switches, which are designed with a locking mechanism to prevent accidental activation. According to a Canada-based aviation safety expert, the switches are structured in such a way that it would be nearly impossible for a single hand movement to activate both switches simultaneously. This raises critical questions about whether the switch activation was intentional or a result of an unforeseen event. Shawn Pruchnicki, a former airline accident investigator and aviation expert at Ohio State University, noted that the lack of reported anomalies prior to takeoff complicates the narrative of pilot error.

Peter Goelz, a former managing director of the NTSB, echoed these sentiments, stating, 'The finding is very disturbing - that a pilot has shut off the fuel switch within seconds of flying.' The cockpit voice recorder may hold additional insights, but current efforts to identify the voices involved in the cockpit communication are ongoing. The need for enhanced cockpit video recording systems is also highlighted, as this could provide crucial evidence in understanding the sequence of events leading to the crash.

Before the flight, all crew members successfully passed breathalyzer tests and were deemed fit to operate the aircraft. Both pilots had arrived in Ahmedabad the day prior and had adequate rest. Despite these protocols, investigators are also examining a 2018 advisory from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concerning potential disengagement of locking features on fuel control switches installed in some Boeing aircraft, including the 787 series.

While some experts believe the advisory may not be a critical issue, Capt Kishore Chinta, a former investigator with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, raised concerns about whether the switches could be triggered electronically without pilot intervention. His remarks underscore the complexity of the investigation, which continues to evolve as new evidence comes to light.

As the investigation progresses, the implications of this incident extend beyond the immediate tragedy. It raises questions about aviation safety protocols, the accountability of manufacturers, and the effectiveness of current safety measures in preventing similar disasters in the future. The aviation community, regulators, and the families of the victims await further findings with bated breath, hoping for clarity and accountability in the wake of this heartbreaking incident.