Investing.com — India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released a preliminary report Friday on the Air India Flight 171 crash that occurred in Ahmedabad on June 12, revealing that one of the pilots moved fuel switches to CUTOFF position shortly after takeoff.
According to the cockpit voice recording cited in the report, one pilot was heard asking the other why he cut off the engines, to which the second pilot responded that he did not do so.
The investigation found that the Boeing (NYSE:BA) 787-8 aircraft achieved a maximum speed of 180 knots at 08:08:42 UTC, immediately after which both Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position.
Data shows that both engines’ N2 values dropped below minimum idle speed. While Engine 1’s core deceleration eventually stopped and began to recover, Engine 2 was able to relight but “couldn’t arrest core speed deceleration” despite repeatedly reintroducing fuel.
The report noted that at approximately 08:08:52 UTC, the Engine 1 fuel cutoff switch transitioned back from CUTOFF to RUN, followed by Engine 2’s switch four seconds later. Exhaust gas temperature was observed rising for both engines, indicating relight attempts.
The bureau stated that “components of interest for further examinations have been identified and quarantined” and that a complete analysis of postmortem reports of crew and passengers is being undertaken.
Fuel samples from bowsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft were tested at the DGCA’s laboratory and found satisfactory, ruling out fuel quality as a factor in the crash.
At this stage of the investigation, no recommended actions have been issued to Boeing 787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers. The investigation is continuing.
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