Boeing Dreamliner crash in Air India flight on June 12: Detailed account of events within the flight cockpit
On June 12, 2023, Air India flight AI423, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, made an emergency landing in Ahmedabad after encountering an unexpected issue shortly after takeoff from New Delhi.
The aircraft, which was bound for Ahmedabad, started rolling from Bay 34 at the Ahmedabad airport and taxied towards Runway 23 via Taxiway R4, having received taxi clearance earlier in the day. At 1:38:52 pm IST, Engine 1's fuel cutoff switch transitioned from CUTOFF to RUN, followed by Engine 2 at 1:38:56 pm IST. Immediately after reaching a max airspeed of 180 knots, both engines' fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position.
Cockpit voice recordings revealed an alarmed exchange between the pilots, with one asking the other why the fuel switches were turned off, and the other denying doing so. However, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) preliminary report and subsequent investigations revealed that the fuel supply to both engines was cut off seconds after takeoff.
The location of the fuel cutoff switches below the thrust levers is protected by safeguards to prevent accidental switching off, which complicates the scenario and raises questions about pilot error or possible confusion rather than deliberate action. The AAIB report did not attribute fault to Boeing or the engine manufacturer but suggested the cause was likely human error amid cockpit confusion.
There has been no official confirmation conclusively stating that the captain intentionally cut off the fuel supply. The time gap of 1 second between the transition of Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches adds to the mystery, as it suggests a coordinated but unintended action.
When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN while the aircraft is inflight, each engine's full authority dual engine control (FADEC) automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence. Engine 2 was able to relight but could not arrest core speed deceleration and re-introduced fuel repeatedly to increase core speed acceleration and recovery.
Following the incident, a crash fire tender left the airport premises for rescue and firefighting at 1:44:44 pm IST. At 1:39:05 pm IST, one of the pilots transmitted "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY". Data recording stopped at 1:39:11 pm IST.
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) and the Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) have expressed concerns about the investigation, calling for a fair, fact-based probe into the crash. The ALPA India, in particular, rejected the presumption of pilot error and emphasised the importance of impartial and comprehensive investigations.
As the investigation continues, the cause of the fuel cutoff remains unclear, and the aviation community awaits the final report from the AAIB to shed light on the incident.
Air India, a prominent player in the international cricket industry due to its extensive network, faced an unexpected crisis when Air India flight AI423, bound for Ahmedabad, experienced an emergency landing on June 12, 2023. This unfortunate incident raised concerns within the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) and Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India), reiterating the necessity for fair, fact-based investigations in the aviation industry, especially following a potential human error situation. The ALPA India emphasized the importance of impartial and comprehensive investigations, questioning the presumption of pilot error. As the investigation continues, the cause of the fuel cutoff remains unresolved, adding to the intrigue within the aviation community.
