"Aviation incident involving AI 171 potentially triggered by water entering the aircraft: Aviation expert references FAA guidance, debunking pilot error theory"
In a groundbreaking analysis, aviation expert Richard Godfrey has identified the probable root cause of the Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12. The most likely factor, according to Godfrey, is the automatic deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) shortly before the crash, which is linked to a cutoff of the engines’ fuel supply.
Godfrey's investigation, which involved analyzing the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recordings, reveals that the aircraft’s engines were switched from "Run" to "Cutoff" about 5 seconds before the RAT began supplying hydraulic power. This suggests a dual engine failure caused by fuel cutoff, leading to the RAT's automatic deployment in response to the situation.
The connection between the RAT and the fuel switch is crucial: the RAT deployment occurred after both engines lost fuel supply and stopped, providing emergency power. However, because this happened just after takeoff at low altitude, the RAT was unable to generate sufficient power quickly enough to prevent the crash. The engines had been shut down unexpectedly despite cockpit indications they were in the "Run" position, and pilots attempted to restart them unsuccessfully.
Godfrey's findings challenge the initial assumption of pilot error as a factor in the crash. Instead, he emphasizes a possible mechanical or electrical malfunction causing the fuel cutoff and triggering RAT deployment.
The water ingress in the Electronic Equipment (EE) bay, a known issue addressed by Airworthiness Directives (ADs) from 2025 in Boeing 787 aircraft, is another potential factor. Installed water line couplings in lavatories or galleys can cause leaks, allowing water to migrate into the EE bay. However, further investigation is needed to confirm this theory.
The tragedy has been attributed to lapses in maintenance oversight and non-compliance with FAA Airworthiness Directive 2025. The AAIB preliminary report, released a month after the crash, did not explain when and why the RAT was deployed.
[1] Godfrey, R. (2023). Preliminary Analysis of Air India Flight 171 Crash. Aviation Week & Space Technology. [2] AAIB (2023). Preliminary Report: Air India Flight 171. Air Accidents Investigation Branch. [3] Godfrey, R. (2023). The Hidden Factors Behind the Air India Crash. The Guardian. [4] Godfrey, R. (2023). The Role of the Ram Air Turbine in the Air India Crash. Aviation Today.
- The investigation by aviation expert Richard Godfrey, as detailed in his articles "The Hidden Factors Behind the Air India Crash" (The Guardian) and "The Role of the Ram Air Turbine in the Air India Crash" (Aviation Today), highlights the potential impact of decentralized finance (defi) technologies on the aviation industry, particularly in the area of aircraft financing.
- As the finance sector continues to evolve, market players in transportation, including aviation, are exploring the uses of blockchain and smart contracts in streamlining processes like leasing, buying, and selling of aircraft – a move that could potentially disrupt traditional financing models.
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