The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released initial insights into the devastating crash of Air India flight AI 171, shedding light on critical events leading to the loss of 260 lives on June 12 near Ahmedabad airport.
Sequence of Events
According to the AAIB report, shortly after takeoff at 08:08:42 UTC, both engine fuel control switches of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft were unexpectedly moved from RUN to CUTOFF within a mere second. This abrupt action, as captured by the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder, triggered confusion in the cockpit. One pilot questioned the sudden shutdown, to which the response indicated no deliberate action.
Efforts to restart the engines commenced immediately, with Engine 1 beginning to recover at 08:08:52 and Engine 2 at 08:08:56. Despite these efforts, Engine 2 failed to stabilize, continuing to decelerate despite automatic attempts to reignite it.
Critical Moments Recorded
The flight data revealed that the aircraft reached a maximum airspeed of 180 knots shortly after liftoff but began losing altitude almost immediately after, failing to clear the airport perimeter. The deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) during this critical phase underscored the severity of the emergency.
Moments before the crash at 08:09:05 UTC, a distress call of "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY" was issued, but attempts by Air Traffic Control to establish contact were futile. The aircraft ultimately crashed outside the airport boundary, marking a tragic end to its flight.
Swift Emergency Response
Emergency services responded promptly, with airport crash fire tenders mobilizing to the crash site by 08:14:44 UTC. Despite their rapid intervention, the impact had already claimed numerous lives.
Prior Safety Concerns
The AAIB's preliminary findings also highlighted a 2018 advisory from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the disengagement risks associated with fuel control switch locking mechanisms on Boeing 737 aircraft. While the advisory was not mandatory, its relevance extended to similar designs found in the Boeing 787-8, including the VT-ANB aircraft involved in the crash. Unfortunately, Air India's adherence to the advisory's inspection recommendations was not documented, as it wasn't legally mandated.
Maintenance records for VT-ANB indicated routine servicing, including throttle control module replacements in 2019 and 2023, with no reported defects related to the fuel control switches.
Ongoing Investigation
The AAIB continues its investigation into the crash, analyzing additional evidence to provide a comprehensive final report. This report aims to uncover the technical, human, and procedural factors contributing to one of India's deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.
As the investigation progresses, further insights are anticipated to illuminate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event and inform future safety protocols in aviation.
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