The recent preliminary findings regarding the Air India Flight 171 disaster have shed some light but also fueled speculation about what truly transpired. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner tragically crashed into a building shortly after departing Ahmedabad for London, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew, along with 19 others on the ground, though one person did survive.
The initial report from India’s Air Accident Investigation Bureau, which fulfills the obligation to provide a preliminary account within 30 days, has raised queries particularly about the pilots’ actions. Investigators have revealed that just seconds after take-off, two fuel cut-off switches were moved to the ‘cut-off’ position, starving the engines of fuel and leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust. While the engines were restarted, it was too late to avert disaster.
Despite its revelatory nature, the report has drawn criticism for its selective disclosure of information, particularly the absence of any transcript from the cockpit voice recorder to clarify the communication between the pilots regarding the fuel switches. This shortfall has led some commentators to hastily speculate on potential pilot misconduct, prompting strong objections from the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association, deeming such claims as unethical and irresponsible.
Industry insiders express concern that critical details remain undisclosed, leading to a collective sentiment that the report does not present a complete picture. With ongoing investigations, the hope remains for clarity as more information emerges.
Source: www.bbc.com
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