Air India Crash: Fuel Cutoff Before Crash Raises Questions of Intent
The preliminary report on Air India flight 171 highlights the pilots’ actions as a focal point of the investigation. The report details that shortly after takeoff, the fuel control switches were moved to the cutoff position, causing both engines to lose thrust. One pilot is heard questioning the other about the switch movement, while the other pilot denied moving the switches. Although the switches were later moved back to the normal inflight position, the aircraft crashed before both engines could regain thrust. The report emphasizes that no conclusions have been reached, and the investigation is ongoing.
John Q. Hosedrinker