Deepening puzzlement over the cause of the Air India disaster in Ahmedabad, wherein 260 lives were lost, surrounds the shift in fuel type.
The aviation industry is on edge as the investigation into the crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India continues. The tragedy, which occurred in Ahmedabad, India, and resulted in the deaths of 260 people, marks the deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade.
The focus of the investigation has narrowed to the movement of engine fuel control switches, a crucial aspect in understanding the sequence of events leading to the crash. Analysts are working to determine if the switches were moved inadvertently, intentionally, or due to a malfunction. Preliminary reports indicate that the fuel to the plane's engines was shut off just after takeoff, with the fuel cutoff switches for both engines moving from the "RUN" position to the "CUTOFF" position within one second, suggesting a deliberate action or a malfunction.
The contents of the cockpit voice recorder are being closely guarded by Indian authorities but are considered pivotal in understanding the last moments of the flight. The NTSB chairwoman, Jennifer Homendy, is keen on assessing the recording to identify any immediate safety concerns.
There is speculation about the role of the captain in possibly shutting off the fuel, as indicated by cockpit voice recordings. However, Air India's CEO and Indian authorities have urged caution against premature conclusions. The investigation is supported by international organizations like the NTSB, but progress is slow, and there are concerns about inconsistent communication from Indian authorities.
The investigation is complex and may take extended periods to conclude, with potential for changes in focus as more data becomes available. Notably, the focus is now on Boeing's fuel intake controls, particularly in light of past FAA directives in 2018 and 2022 about possible un-commanded fuel shutoffs due to foreign object debris during maintenance.
This tragedy occurs at a time when Boeing is facing reputational damage from earlier crashes, whistleblower allegations, and midair incidents. Airlines in Japan, Singapore, and Germany are also conducting checks on their Boeing jets, with India and South Korea mandating fuel system inspections on Boeing jets following the crash.
The Airline Pilots' Association of India seeks transparency in the investigation process and criticized premature blame placed on pilots, requesting observer status in the investigation for transparency. The sole survivor of the crash, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, is currently in recovery.
Air India has admitted it did not follow up on the 2018 advisory and is currently reviewing compliance with the 2022 directive. The throttle control module in the crashed Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was replaced in 2023, but not due to issues with fuel switches.
Notable incidents include the 737 Max disasters and recent 787 and 777 emergencies. The investigation into the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash continues amidst ongoing challenges for Boeing in the aviation industry.
- The investigation into the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash is focusing on Boeing's fuel intake controls, especially considering past FAA directives in 2018 and 2022 regarding potential un-commanded fuel shutoffs due to foreign object debris during maintenance, which raises questions about the finance and maintenance of the aircraft within the aviation industry.
- The tragedy has also sparked concern in the transportation industry, with airlines in Japan, Singapore, and Germany conducting checks on their Boeing jets, and India and South Korea mandating fuel system inspections on Boeing jets following the crash, adding to the industry-wide scrutiny on Boeing's safety standards.
