By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau reveals that the Air India flight that crashed in June experienced a fuel cutoff to its engines shortly after takeoff. The report details that the fuel control switches in the cockpit of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were flipped, starving the engines of fuel. Investigators were able to determine the fuel cutoff switches were intentionally moved, resulting in the aircraft crashing after the engines attempted to relight. The flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder captured crucial information leading up to the crash, including the pilots’ confusion and the “MAYDAY” call. The investigation is ongoing, with Air India cooperating and expressing solidarity with the affected families.
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Engine fuel supply was cut just before Air India jet crash, preliminary report says. The fuel control switches in the cockpit of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were reportedly flipped, leading to serious engine issues. The aircraft had reached an airspeed of 180 knots when the fuel cutoff switches for both engines were moved from the “RUN” position to the “CUTOFF” position, with a mere one-second gap between the actions. The initial report strongly suggests that something highly unusual happened in the moments leading up to the crash.
The most striking aspect of this information is the reported cockpit voice recording. One of the pilots apparently questioned the other about why they had shut off the fuel. The other pilot responded, denying any involvement. This exchange is incredibly telling and sets the stage for a complex investigation. Considering the nature of the switches, the idea of an accident seems quite unlikely. It appears the act wasn’t just a simple button press. It required a deliberate action to pull up and flip, unlike any other switch in the cockpit. Therefore, there are a limited number of plausible scenarios: intentional actions or a catastrophic failure of some sort. This raises the question of whether the pilots intentionally shut off the fuel supply. The implication of such an action is devastating, potentially signaling pilot error or a possible act of violence.
The design and location of the fuel cutoff switches further underscore the intentionality of the action. The switches are specifically designed to prevent accidental activation. They often have mechanisms, such as a lock or a gated system that necessitates conscious effort to manipulate them. In light of how unlikely it is to turn off both fuel flow accidentally, there’s the haunting possibility of suicide or an act of mass murder. This situation is made all the more difficult by the lack of transparency surrounding air crash investigations. Many questions arise in these types of cases, like, “Who are the pilots and what issues did they have?” The location of the switches and the need to pull them up and over a gate make accidental activation improbable. It is difficult to fathom the idea of a pilot inadvertently switching off the engines while in the middle of a takeoff.
It’s almost impossible to accidentally trigger the fuel cutoffs. The switches require a specific action, like pulling and twisting or lifting up and over a gate. Any accidental action would be a highly unusual occurrence, considering the placement and mechanical design of these switches. The possibility of an emergency procedure that includes cutting systems prior to the crash has been considered, but unlikely in this case. Any mechanical or electrical malfunction is unlikely to have triggered the switches.
The fact that the investigation is still ongoing and that no conclusions have been drawn yet, creates a sense of uncertainty, but the focus on the pilots’ actions seems clear. Furthermore, the pilot’s reaction in the cockpit voice recording is strange. The pilot who allegedly caused the “mistake” may have been trying to deflect blame, to protect their legacy or get certain payouts. Regardless, the narrative is developing and the options are limited. The possibility of an electrical or mechanical failure cannot be ruled out.
The circumstances surrounding the fuel cutoff strongly suggest a deliberate act. The design of the switches makes accidental activation nearly impossible. The timing of the event, just after liftoff, also raises questions, as shutting off fuel is not typically a standard procedure during an engine failure immediately after takeoff. The pilots are trained to get to a specific height before running any type of checklist for an engine failure. The question is, why would the pilot even ask that question?
The location of the fuel cutoff switches below the throttles on the center console also points to the intentional nature of the action. The position and the mechanism to move the switches prevent accidental or unintended operation. Given the design of the switches, and the reported cockpit exchange, it’s hard to avoid the impression that this was an intentional act. The whole situation is alarming, and the mystery will likely continue to unravel.