AI171 Aircraft Accident: Air India CEO Campbell Wilson Assures No Technical Issues, Urges Public to Remain Patient During Ongoing Investigation
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has confirmed that the fuel supply switches were ruptured after take-off, causing both engines to shut down on the Air India flight AI171, resulting in one of India's deadliest air disasters. While the initial investigation revealed nothing wrong with the aircraft, engines, or fuel quality, the ongoing AAIB investigation and expert speculation suggest additional potential causes.
One theory points to a non-pilot error cause tied to aircraft systems. An aviation expert and the Indian Commercial Pilots' Association have highlighted the possibility of an electrical or mechanical issue that may have caused the fuel switches to cut off automatically or malfunction. This includes the suspicion of a recurring Throttle Control Malfunction Accommodation (TCMA) problem that Boeing has not yet addressed with directive checks on affected aircraft.
Another focus of the investigation is a prior stabilizer fault reported and allegedly fixed before the flight. If the fix was incomplete or improper, it could have affected aircraft pitch control during takeoff, contributing to the crash. The stabilizer controls the nose pitch, and its malfunction during takeoff could force a pilot to take emergency actions that increase the risk of accident.
Aircraft are designed to fly even with a failed engine, but a complete engine loss at take-off can be deadly. In this case, a restart of the engines was attempted but was unsuccessful. The emphasis remains on discovering what caused both engines to fail.
The pilots of the crashed flight were passing their breathalyser tests and had no health issues. However, the cockpit voice recorder indicates confusion after fuel switches were cut off shortly after takeoff. The positioning and locking mechanism of the fuel control switches make unintentional movement unlikely, and investigators hope sound directionality from multiple cockpit microphones will identify who actuated the switches. Whether this was a human error or triggered by a system fault remains a central focus.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has requested staff to remain focused and serve with integrity, urging them not to be diverted by media speculation. All necessary maintenance procedures were performed before the flight, according to Wilson. Air India had its entire Boeing 787 fleet inspected following the crash, with all planes cleared for flight within days.
The Union Aviation Ministry has stated that the probe into the crash continues, and experts note that a dual-engine shutdown during take-off is extremely rare for passenger aircraft. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu warns against premature conclusions, stating that the preliminary results are not final. The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association questions the report's clarity on who made major decisions in the cockpit of AI171.
The mystery surrounding AI171's crash persists, with many speculating that the cause lies deeper than a technical failure. The last AAIB report is expected later this year, which may lead to changes in training, fuel system design, or cockpit procedures. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has rejected speculations of technical failure as the cause of AI171 crash.
Experts remind the public that the investigation is ongoing, and it is crucial to await the final AAIB report to draw definitive conclusions. The tragedy has underscored the need for continued vigilance and improvements in aviation safety protocols.
- The ongoing investigation into the Air India flight AI171 crash has raised concerns about potential system errors, such as the Throttle Control Malfunction Accommodation (TCMA) issue, which may have caused the fuel switches to malfunction.
- Additionally, experts and aviation authorities are looking into a prior stabilizer fault, which, if incomplete or improperly fixed, could have affected aircraft pitch control during takeoff and contributed to the crash.
