A preliminary report on the Air India flight AI171 crash, which claimed 260 lives, indicates that the fuel supply to the engines was cut off shortly after takeoff. The report, released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, stated that the fuel cutoff switches in the cockpit were moved to the “cutoff” position within a second of each other. The investigation further noted that the pilots had conflicting accounts regarding who initiated the cutoff. The report found that the plane then lost altitude and crashed into a residential area, yet, Boeing and engine maker GE were not deemed responsible.
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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.
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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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A twin-engine Cessna 414 crashed off the coast of Point Loma, San Diego, killing all six people on board. The plane, owned by Optimal Health Systems but reportedly sold to private individuals earlier in 2023, crashed shortly after takeoff while returning to Phoenix from Arizona. Pre-crash audio recordings indicate the pilot struggled to maintain altitude and heading before issuing a Mayday call. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.
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Investigators believe the January 29th midair collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities, may have been caused by a missed air traffic control instruction. Evidence suggests the Black Hawk crew, conducting a night vision goggle training exercise, may not have heard the instruction to pass behind the plane due to a depressed microphone. Discrepancies in altitude readings within the helicopter cockpit are also under investigation, and the American Airlines crew showed signs of seeing the helicopter just before impact. A final report is expected in over a year, but a preliminary report is forthcoming.
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The investigation into the Jeju Air 089590.KS crash, which killed 179, revealed bird feathers and blood in both engines. A pilot reported a bird strike four minutes prior to the crash, following an air traffic control warning about bird activity. The plane’s black boxes stopped recording four minutes before impact, hindering the investigation. This double engine bird strike is exceedingly rare, though successful emergency landings following similar incidents have occurred. The lack of data from the black boxes suggests a complete power failure may have occurred.
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Pilot Col. Charles “Tre” Del Pizzo ejected from an operational F-35B stealth fighter jet when he became disoriented due to multiple system failures during a storm, according to a Marine Corps investigation. The aircraft’s radios, transponder, air navigation system, and helmet-mounted display began to fail due to an “electrical event”. The investigation found Del Pizzo’s decision to eject was “ultimately inappropriate,” as other instruments remained partially operational. Although he lost his command post in Arizona as a result of the incident, no punitive action was taken against Del Pizzo. The mishap occured over a year ago, and the report’s delay has sparked concerns about potential systemic issues with the aircraft.
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John Q. Hosedrinker