On July 11, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) published its preliminary report on the Air India 171 crash. The report, a 15-page document, details the findings of the ongoing investigation into the tragic plane crash. The following are the six key findings outlined in the report:
Seconds after lift-off, the engine fuel control switches were found to have moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF." Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other why why he cut off the switches. The other pilot responded that he did not do so. This action led to a drop in Engine N1 and N2 values due to the loss of fuel supply.
The fuel control switches were later switched back on but the deceleration in one of the engines could not be stopped. Engine 2 was able to relight, but it could not stop the core speed deceleration. The engine repeatedly attempted to reintroduce fuel to regain thrust, but recovery was unsuccessful.
CCTV footage confirmed that the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed during the initial climb after takeoff. Investigators also confirmed there was no significant bird activity observed in the vicinity of the flight path.
The aircraft began to lose altitude even before crossing the airport perimeter wall. At around 08:09:05, one of the pilots issued a "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" distress call, but there was no further response when Air Traffic Control tried to clarify the call sign.
The Air Traffic Controller (ATCO) observed the aircraft crash outside the airport boundary shortly after the distress call and immediately activated emergency response services.
On December 17, 2018, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) about potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature. The AAIB noted that while this issue was acknowledged, the FAA did not classify it as an unsafe condition warranting an airworthiness directive.
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While the preliminary report sheds light on the possible sequence of events leading to the crash, it stops short of assigning blame. Investigators have emphasized that the findings are not final, and a comprehensive analysis is still underway. As the probe continues, experts and the public alike are calling for a thorough and transparent investigation that considers all possible factors—including technical malfunctions—in order to ensure accountability and improve future aviation safety standards.
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