Air India Flight 171 Crash Investigation Reveals Critical Fuel Control Issues
New preliminary reports highlight fuel supply cutoff to both engines during ascent as a key factor in the Air India Flight 171 crash investigation.
Overview
Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in 260 fatalities, with one British national surviving.
Investigators found that both engines' fuel cutoff switches shifted from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' during ascent, leading to engine failure.
The fuel supply was restored seconds later, but it was too late to prevent the crash, raising questions about the sequence of events.
Preliminary reports suggest the issue was not due to mechanical failure or design flaws, but the investigation is ongoing.
A full report on the crash is not expected for several months, leaving many questions unanswered.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the Air India crash with a focus on technical failures, particularly the fuel control switches, suggesting negligence or malfunction. They emphasize the tragic loss of life while maintaining a tone of investigative urgency, reflecting a commitment to uncovering the truth behind the incident, albeit with varying degrees of bias.
Sources (22)
Center (9)
FAQ
Both engine fuel control switches were moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' within a second of each other during ascent, leading to immediate engine starvation and failure. Although the switches were later found back in 'RUN' and relight attempts were made, only one engine recovered partially, too late to prevent the crash 32 seconds after takeoff.
Mechanical failure, bird strike, and fuel contamination have been ruled out. Investigators are still considering human error, system failure, or design issues, but the exact reason why the fuel cutoff switches moved remains undetermined and under forensic analysis.
The primary unanswered questions are why both fuel cutoff switches were moved to 'CUTOFF' without apparent command, who or what initiated this action, and whether there was a system malfunction or human error involved. Cockpit recordings and flight data are still being analyzed.
A full report is not expected for several months, as investigations are ongoing and forensic analyses are still being conducted.
Air India is in contact with all next of kin, has assigned caregivers to each affected family in Ahmedabad, and is assisting with the handover of remains and personal effects. Assistance centers are operational at Ahmedabad and Mumbai airports to support families seeking information[3].
History
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