Air India Crash: Former DGCA Official Cites Pilot ‘Confusion’ in Report

Rapid Summary:

• Captain Prashant Dhalla, a former Flight Operations Inspector with DGCA, discussed the Wall Street Journal’s report on the Air India AI 171 crash in ahmedabad last month.
• The report alleged confusion between pilots during the crash and mentioned potential issues with Crew Resource Management (CRM) due to unclear interactions over “fuel control switches.”
• Dhalla stated that problems with the locking mechanism of fuel control switches may have left pilots helpless in regaining power.
• Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) President C.S. Randhawa condemned claims that the captain deliberately cut off fuel to engines, clarifying this is not mentioned in Aircraft Accident Inquiry Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report.
• Randhawa criticized misinterpretation of technical findings by media and vowed action against such reporting as it could cause undue fear among air travelers.
• Pilots involved were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (15,638 flight hours) and Frist Officer Clive Kunder (3,403 flight hours).
• AAIB’s preliminary investigation highlighted cockpit confusion before the June 12 crash. Questions remain over engine fuel cutoff switches’ positions.
• The crash resulted in 260 fatalities-229 passengers,12 crew members,and 19 individuals on ground.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The ongoing discussions surrounding air India AI 171’s tragic crash emphasize the importance of precise reporting in aviation accident investigations. Technical jargon like “transitioned” and CRM dynamics require nuanced interpretation to avoid creating unnecessary fear or blame aimed at individuals or systems before investigation conclusions are finalized. A credible investigation by AAIB will be key for determining accountability while improving operational safeguards.

For India specifically, incidents such as this call attention to systemic updates within aviation safety protocols. With high stakes for public confidence in air travel amidst burgeoning aviation demand domestically, clear dialog from both regulators like DGCA/AAIB and responsible media reporting play constructive roles without fueling speculation prematurely.

Read more: Wall Street Journal Report claims Cockpit Confusion Prior To Ahmedabad Crash