Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Report Reveals Engine Fuel Cut-Off in 3 Seconds

Quick Summary

• Air India flight AI171 crash in Ahmedabad killed 270 people, including 19 on the ground.
• Preliminary inquiry by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reveals fuel supply to both engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner was cut off three seconds after take-off.
• The fuel cutoff may have occurred due to a faulty fuel control switch or manual intervention; the report remains inconclusive.
• Cockpit voice recording features one pilot questioning another about cutting off the fuel, with denial from both sides.
• A mechanical fault with the locking mechanism of the fuel control switch was flagged in a 2018 safety bulletin; inadvertent activation has been ruled out due to its design requiring purposeful actions for operation.
• CCTV footage showed deployment of the ram air turbine (RAT) during initial climb and no significant bird activity near the flight path before altitude loss began.

Indian Opinion Analysis
initial findings from AAIB’s investigation into this tragic crash raise critical questions about aviation safety systems and operational protocols for India’s airlines and regulatory authorities. The potential failure of such an essential mechanism-the fuel control system-indicates either technical flaws or human error that demand rigorous scrutiny as part of ongoing probes. While previous service bulletins by global aviation authorities like FAA highlighted possible issues with microprocessors used in engine controls, broader concerns remain unresolved until further evidence emerges from subsequent reports.

The impact on public confidence in domestic air travel cannot be overlooked, especially considering past accidents involving Indian carriers cited in the article (e.g., Calicut and Mangalore crashes). Aviation regulators must enhance compliance oversight while aircraft manufacturers address vulnerabilities flagged globally to reduce risks moving forward.

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