Background on Air India Flight and Key Individuals
Air India flight 113, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was en route from Ahmedabad, India to London when it crashed in June, resulting in the tragic loss of 260 lives. The victims included 242 passengers and crew members on board, as well as 19 people on the ground. The flight’s captain and first officer are central figures in this unfortunate event.
Preliminary Investigation Findings
The preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that approximately three seconds after takeoff, the fuel cut-off switches for both engines transitioned almost simultaneously from the “RUN” to “CUTOFF” position. This sequence of events occurred within a 0.1-second interval.
According to the report, one pilot inquired of the other why they had cut off fuel supply. The second pilot denied having done so, leading to confusion in the cockpit.
Rapid Altitude Loss and Emergency Declaration
The aircraft began losing altitude rapidly. The fuel cut-off switches then returned to the “RUN” position, and engine power seemed to be regained. However, one of the pilots declared a “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY” alert, signaling distress to air traffic control.
Air traffic controllers attempted to ascertain the situation from the pilots, but witnessed the aircraft crashing and promptly contacted emergency services.
No Recommendations or Blame in Preliminary Report
The preliminary report did not assign blame or offer conclusions regarding the accident. It focused on the movement of the engine fuel cut-off switches, as reported by specialized aviation news site The Air Current.
The report also mentioned a 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bulletin warning about the potential disabling of the engine fuel cut-off switch lock function. Although this alert wasn’t deemed a “unsafe condition” requiring further action, Air India explained to investigators that they did not conduct the suggested inspections because they were “recommended but not mandatory.”
Air India’s Compliance and Boeing’s Response
Air India stated that they adhered to all aircraft operability directives and service bulletins for the Boeing 787-8 and GE GEnx-1B engines. The AAIB report indicated that no corrective actions were recommended for engine operators or manufacturers.
Boeing has not yet responded to AFP’s request for comment. The investigation remains ongoing, with information being gathered from various parties involved.
International Casualties and Ground Injuries
Among the 230 passengers on board, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British, seven were Portuguese, and one was Canadian. There were 12 crew members on board.
Sadly, the crash resulted in injuries to dozens of people on the ground.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was the cause of the Air India crash? The preliminary report indicates that there was an interruption in the fuel supply to both engines approximately three seconds after takeoff.
- Who were the key individuals involved in the accident? The captain and first officer are central figures, as their communication regarding fuel cut-off switches appeared to be confused.
- Did the investigation assign blame or offer conclusions? No, the preliminary report did not assign blame or provide definitive conclusions regarding the accident.
- What did Air India’s response to the FAA bulletin entail? Air India explained that they did not conduct the suggested inspections because they were “recommended but not mandatory.”
- Were there any corrective actions recommended for engine operators or manufacturers? No, the AAIB report stated that no corrective actions were recommended for engine operators or manufacturers.
- How many people were killed in the crash, and how many were injured on the ground? The crash resulted in the loss of 260 lives, including 242 passengers and crew members on board and 19 people on the ground.
- What nationalities were the passengers and crew members? Among the 230 passengers, there were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. There were 12 crew members on board.
