Air India Crash: Both Engines Shut Down Mid-Air After Fuel Cut-Off, Probe Reveals
New Delhi: In a 15-page preliminary report of the investigation into the June 12 crash of Air India flight AI 171, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has revealed that both engines of the aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, shut down mid-air just seconds after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
The preliminary report, released after midnight Saturday, stated that a total of five buildings were impacted and suffered major structural and fire damages in the tragic crash that also destroyed the aircraft, claiming 260 lives, including 241 of the 242 people on board. One passenger, a British citizen, had miraculously survived the crash.
“The aircraft achieved the maximum recorded airspeed of 180 Knots IAS at about 08:08:42 UTC and immediately thereafter, the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec. The Engine N1 and N2 began to decrease from their take-off values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off,” it stated.
A ‘Mayday’ call was made at 08:09:05.
In the cockpit voice recording, the report found, one of the pilots can also be heard asking the other why he cut off the fuel, to which the other pilot responded that he did not.
The CCTV footage obtained from the airport showed Ram Air Turbine (RAT) getting deployed during the initial climb immediately after lift-off.
The Indian Express reported that the movement of the fuel control switches, which are critical to allow or cut fuel flow to the plane’s engines, have to be deliberate actions and their accidental movement is next to impossible.
The initial probe also found that the flap position was at 5 degrees – consistent with take-off flap settings. There were no weather-related issues with the flight and the aircraft’s take-off weight was “within allowable limits for the given conditions”. There were no ‘dangerous goods’ on board the plane.
It also ruled out chances of bird activity having caused the accident. “No significant bird activity is observed in the vicinity of the flight path. The aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall,” the report stated.
It must be noted that preliminary reports can be sketchy and only present bare bone facts.
Regarding the progress of investigation, the report stated that the wreckage site activities including drone photography/videography have been completed, and the wreckage has been moved to a secure area near the airport. Both the engines have been retrieved from the site.
The EAFR data downloaded from forward EAFR is being analysed in detail. A complete analysis of postmortem reports of the crew and the passengers is being undertaken to corroborate aeromedical findings with the engineering appreciation.
It concluded that at this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 (Boeing) and/or GE GEnx-1B (GE Aerospace) engine operators and manufacturers.
Boeing, Air India issue statement
The aircraft maker under scrutiny, Boeing, released a statement hours after the report. “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad. I have spoken with Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran to offer our full support, and a Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau,” said Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg.
The statement added, “Boeing will defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to provide information about Air India Flight 171, in adherence with the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization protocol.”
Air India also acknowledged the preliminary report and said that it was “working closely with stakeholders, including regulators”. “Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time,” it stated.
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