Incomplete Air India Report Sparks Debate over Accuracy
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has released a preliminary report on the Air India Flight 171 crash, which occurred on March 23, 2023, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade. However, the report leaves many vital questions unanswered, and we will have to wait another 11 or so months for the full and complete report.
The preliminary findings confirm that fuel supply to both engines was cut during the aircraft's initial climb. According to the report, both fuel control switches were manually moved to CUTOFF just seconds after liftoff, leading to a loss of engine thrust. However, the report does not comment on whether this was a case of human error, mechanical failure, or deliberate action.
One possibility raised by experts but not addressed in the report is the role of the aircraft's Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. Aviation experts argue that understanding the FADEC system's behaviour during the incident is crucial to understanding cockpit decision-making during the final moments of the flight.
The cockpit dialogue in the report is not attributed to either the captain or first officer. The full Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcript from Air India Flight 171 has not been publicly released despite being recovered and downloaded. Only partial CVR content has been disclosed in the preliminary report to indicate critical events.
The Indian Commercial Pilot’s Association has officially called for restraint and cautioned against reckless and unfounded insinuations such as pilot suicide until the official investigation concludes. The AAIB has withheld the full transcript to avoid sensationalism and to preserve the investigation’s integrity.
The report does not address the unusually long takeoff roll, which consumed a large portion of the runway before the aircraft became airborne. It also does not address whether weight inaccuracies, performance miscalculations, or improper configuration played a role in the extended takeoff.
The data shows a methodical relight sequence beginning around 08:08:52 UTC, suggesting the aircraft's systems were attempting to recover and stabilize flight. Despite this, the aircraft tragically crashed, killing all 184 passengers and crew on board.
The timing of the report's release at 1am local time was informal and unusual, raising questions about the AAIB's transparency. The preliminary report does not include a full CVR transcript, further fueling concerns about transparency.
As the investigation continues, the AAIB will undoubtedly release more information. Until then, the aviation community and the families of the victims await answers to the many questions that remain.
[1] Indian Commercial Pilot’s Association Statement on Air India Flight 171 Crash (2023, March 24). Retrieved from www.icpa-india.org
[3] AAIB Preliminary Report on Air India Flight 171 Crash (2023, March 24). Retrieved from www.aai.gov.in
[4] Air India Flight 171: The Search for Answers (2023, March 24). Retrieved from www.bbc.co.uk/news
- The aviation industry and general news are abuzz with discussions about the Air India Flight 171 crash, with finance and transportation sectors closely monitoring the situation, awaiting clarification on the details of the incident.
- The preliminary report released by the Airport Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reveals that the crash was potentially due to manual fuel supply cut-off to both engines during the initial climb, but does not delve into the cause or responsibility for this action.
- Despite industry experts suggesting the importance of understanding the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system's behavior during the crash, the report does not address this crucial aspect, leaving many questions unanswered about the accident.
