New developments surrounding the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives, have surfaced this week, centering attention on the actions of the senior pilot during the aircraft’s final moments. A report released by ZezapTV this Wednesday highlights findings from U.S. officials regarding the black box audio recording that captured the last exchanges between the two pilots. According to the report, it appears that the captain might have inadvertently shut off the fuel flow to the engines.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) previously released a preliminary report indicating that both engines of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner had failed within one second, leading to a rapid loss of altitude and culminating in the plane’s crash into a densely populated area near Ahmedabad. Notably, the AAIB report indicated that the fuel-control switches had shifted to the “cutoff” position; however, it refrained from ascribing blame for the incident.
Amid the ongoing investigations, two pilot organizations have contested the notion that human error played a role in this disaster. The focus remains on understanding the technical and operational factors that could have contributed to the event.
Air India Flight 171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM (08:08 GMT) on June 12, destined for London Gatwick. Tragically, approximately 40 seconds into the flight, both engines lost power, resulting in the aircraft crashing into a building near the campus of BJ Medical College, located 1.85 km (1.15 miles) from the runway.
In total, 259 people onboard lost their lives, save for one survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian descent. Additionally, the incident claimed the lives of 19 individuals on the ground and left 67 others injured. The aircraft’s impact ignited a fire that devastated parts of five separate buildings, showcasing the significant destructive force of the crash.
The ongoing investigation, deemed the deadliest aviation accident in a decade, is being conducted by the AAIB with assistance from both Boeing and experts from the United States and the United Kingdom. Preliminary findings revealed that the aircraft adhered to maintenance protocols, was deemed airworthy, and carried no hazardous cargo at the time of the incident. However, a 2018 advisory from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration pointed out a potential flaw in the fuel-control switch system of certain Boeing models, including the Dreamliner. The report noted that Air India had not inspected this system, as such inspections were not mandatory.
As investigations continue, voices from both the aviation community and accident investigators stress the importance of a thorough examination before jumping to conclusions regarding pilot error. Current evidence remains inconclusive, prompting experts to urge caution. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, and First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, who piloted the ill-fated flight, are being remembered by their peers and family as dedicated professionals, with both having extensive flying experience.
The investigation aims to unravel the complexities surrounding the crash while honoring the memory of those who tragically lost their lives. The need for meticulous analysis in aviation safety remains paramount, highlighting the community’s commitment to learning from past events to enhance future air travel safety.
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