Uncovered Data, Virtual Testing Controversy, and Technical Foul-up Scandal
The ongoing investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which claimed 274 lives, is shedding light on a series of critical aspects, including simulator tests, power failures, and the possibility of sabotage.
Investigators are analyzing the pilots' response times using flight simulator data, which suggests they had an extremely limited response time to react effectively. Specialists describe the "no thrust" warning as an "extremely rare" and complex systemic failure that was beyond the pilots' control.
Preliminary theories point to a simultaneous dual engine failure shortly after takeoff, a scenario considered very rare. Both engines had undergone recent maintenance, yet no reported prior issues were found. The investigation is also reviewing similar past incidents, such as a 2020 case involving fuel contamination leading to dual engine anomalies, as a potential parallel.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is considering all possibilities, including sabotage. Multiple agencies are involved, and CCTV footage is being scrutinized to assess any external foul play. However, no conclusive evidence of sabotage has been publicly announced yet.
Recovery efforts found all critical black boxes, though the flight data recorder suffered damage from post-crash fire, complicating initial data extraction. The black boxes remain in Indian custody with no plans to send them abroad for analysis.
Among pilots, there is speculation that an inadvertent throttle input could have contributed to the loss of thrust. However, official conclusions await the detailed analysis of the aircraft’s cockpit voice and flight data recorders.
The latest findings also highlight the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) on the Boeing 787-8, which records over 2,000 parameters and can continue recording data for up to ten minutes in the event of total power loss.
Meanwhile, the Tata Group, owners of Air India, are facing pressure to rebuild the airline's credibility and global competitiveness following the crash. The slow investigation, lack of empathy, and a scandal involving employees of a service provider linked to Air India attending a party just a few days after the disaster have shaken trust in the airline.
In response to the party scandal, four leaders have been dismissed, but concrete improvements in the investigation and overall situation are barely visible. The US agency NTSB has called for the prompt publication of investigation results, emphasizing the importance of aviation safety, public safety, and transparency.
India has declined a humanitarian offer from the UN's civil aviation organization, ICAO, and has not allowed an expert in, nor released a list of all involved specialists. The first interim report from the Indian AAIB is expected in a few weeks.
In an unprecedented event, shortly before impact, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was activated, serving as an emergency power supply. The deployment of the RAT suggests a total power loss, either due to double engine failure or a central electrical fault.
Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, has come under scrutiny due to maintenance issues. LEAP-1A engine parts on an Airbus A320 were not replaced in time, and maintenance records were manipulated. The airline has acknowledged these issues, citing a "software migration problem" and promising disciplinary action.
Despite these challenges, the crew of flight AI-187 managed to stabilize the aircraft and continue the flight to Austria, but both pilots were subsequently suspended. Flight AI-187 from Delhi to Vienna experienced a significant altitude loss shortly after takeoff, followed by alerts such as a "stick shaker" and "don't sink" alarms. A bird strike was not the cause of the accident.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering the truth behind the crash and ensuring the safety of all airline passengers.
The Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) on the Boeing 787-8, which records over 2,000 parameters, has become pertinent in the investigation of Air India Flight AI-171's crash, as it could provide valuable data in case of total power loss, such as the simultaneous dual engine failure under question. Although the Tata Group, owners of Air India, face pressure to restore the airline's credibility and competitiveness in the wake of the disaster, the ongoing investigation in the Vdi industry, including simulator tests and potential sabotage, could significantly impact the industry's finance and transportation sectors, especially in aviation.
