Lever-lock fuel switches that mysteriously triggered during the Air India Crash.
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Introduction:”Air India Crash”
In one of India’s most puzzling aviation tragedies, Air India Flight 171 crashed into a densely populated neighborhood in Ahmedabad just 40 seconds after takeoff,Air India Crash, killing all 260 people on board. Investigators are now uncovering disturbing clues from the aircraft’s cockpit audio and data recorders, raising troubling questions about what happened inside the cockpit during those critical moments.
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Fuel Cut-off Switches Activated Mid-Air
According to a preliminary investigation report released by Indian aviation authorities, both engines of the 12-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost power just seconds after takeoff.Air India Crash, The reason? The aircraft’s fuel control switches were inexplicably moved to the “cut-off” position — a configuration typically used only after landing, to shut the engines down safely.
This abrupt and unexplained action starved both engines of fuel, causing a complete power loss. Air India Crash,Although the switches were returned to their in-flight “run” position, allowing the aircraft’s engines to attempt an auto-restart, only one engine had begun regaining thrust by the time of the crash. The other had relit but had not recovered power.
Haunting Cockpit Audio Raises More Questions Than Answers
The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) revealed a chilling exchange between the two pilots. to which the other responds, “I didn’t.” Investigators have not yet confirmed who said what. At the time, the co-pilot was flying the plane, while the captain was monitoring.
This cryptic exchange has become the focal point of the investigation.Air India Crash,Aviation experts believe that identifying the voices and actions of each crew member is essential to solving the mystery.
Highly Secure Fuel Switches: Not Easy to Trigger
What makes this incident especially baffling is the design of the fuel control switches. These are lever-lock switches, specifically engineered to prevent accidental activation. They must be lifted up and then moved, a two-step process protected by additional guard brackets that shield against accidental bumps or touches.
A Canadian air accident investigator told the BBC, Air India Crash,“It would be almost impossible to pull both switches with a single movement of one hand. Accidental deployment seems extremely unlikely.”
Investigators Consider All Possibilities
The investigation is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from Boeing, General Electric, Air India, US and UK regulators, and various aviation safety experts.
One of the most pressing questions is: Who moved the switches, and why? Air India Crash,That seems improbable, as the pilots reported nothing unusual and gave no indication of an emergency. This type of switch error doesn’t happen without some trigger.”
“The switches were turned off and then back on.Air India Crash, That’s not a malfunction — that’s someone actively flipping them. The question is, who did it, and what was their intention?” — Peter Goelz
The Need for Clear Voice Identification
Goelz emphasized that a full transcript with voice identification is needed.Air India Crash, In standard procedures, voice recognition experts work with colleagues familiar with the pilots to identify who said what.
“Right now, we don’t know which pilot shut off the fuel — and that’s crucial,” he said.
Experts are now pushing for the installation of cockpit video recorders, which could have shown exactly whose hand moved the switches.Air India Crash, The NTSB has long recommended these to provide visual evidence in crash investigations.
FAA Advisory Raises Mechanical Concerns
Adding another layer to the mystery is a 2018 FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB).Air India Crash, The advisory warned that some Boeing 737 fuel control switches had been installed without their locking features engaged.
Although it did not lead to an Airworthiness Directive (AD), the advisory applies to the same switch design used in the Boeing 787-8 model, including the one that crashed.
Mr. Pruchnicki raised an important point: “If the locking mechanism was disengaged, could the switch flip on its own? If yes, it’s a major design flaw. If not, that also needs clarification.”
However, some experts, including Mr. Air India Crash,Goelz, consider this advisory a possible distraction from more pressing concerns.
Could the Aircraft’s Systems Have Triggered the Switches?
Former AAIB investigator Capt Kishore Chinta suggests the switches might have been triggered electronically, potentially by the plane’s electronic control unit.
“If the fuel cut-off switches can be activated electronically, Air India Crash,without pilot input, then it’s a significant concern,” he said.
Mechanical Failures and Fuel Quality Ruled Out
Initial theories of fuel contamination have been ruled out,Air India Crash, as samples from the refuelling tanks were deemed satisfactory. So far, no advisories have been issued regarding the Boeing 787 or its GE GEnx-1B engines, and no signs of mechanical failure have been confirmed.
Deployment of Ram Air Turbine Confirms Engine Failure
The report confirms that the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT) had deployed — a clear sign of a complete power failure. Air India Crash,The RAT is a small emergency propeller that automatically extends when both engines lose power, supplying limited hydraulic and electrical power to critical systems.
Investigators also found that the landing gear was down during the crash, suggesting it was never retracted. One Boeing 787 pilot explained that in normal conditions, the gear would retract within seconds of takeoff, but in an emergency, retraction becomes a secondary concern.
“When both engines fail and you’re falling from the sky,Air India Crash, the mind focuses on one thing: survival. Retraction isn’t even on your radar,” he said.
Final Moments: Too Little, Too Late
Experts believe the pilots attempted to restart both engines,Air India Crash, beginning with the left. However, the right engine, although relit, did not recover power in time. The sequence of events and delay in thrust recovery sealed the aircraft’s fate.
“The timing just didn’t allow for recovery. There was not enough altitude or power,” said Mr. Pruchnicki.
Conclusion: A Puzzle Still Unsolved
The investigation into Flight 171 is far from over. While technical failures have mostly been ruled out, human action or system interaction remains under scrutiny. Air India Crash,Investigators await full voice identification, a complete transcript, and further data analysis to understand the tragedy.
The cockpit audio has deepened, rather than solved, the mystery — and until clear answers emerge, the families of 260 victims and the global aviation community remain haunted by the question:
What really happened in the cockpit of Air India Flight 171?
