Air India CEO cautions against 'premature conclusions' as fuel switch mystery deepens

Key Concepts:

• Air India crash investigation
• Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• Engine fuel cut-off switches
• Preliminary report findings
• Pilot error speculation
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
• Locking mechanism of fuel switches

1. Initial Findings and CEO's Response

• A preliminary probe into the Air India crash found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
• Air India CEO Campbell Wilson cautioned against premature conclusions in an internal memo to staff.
• Wilson stated that all required maintenance for the aircraft was carried out, and there were no issues with fuel quality.
• Pilots had passed all pre-flight tests, and no past issues were flagged in association with them.
• The CEO emphasized that the preliminary report raised several questions and that the investigation is ongoing.
• Wilson urged against drawing premature conclusions, reacting to speculation in domestic media and social media.

2. Fuel Cut-Off Switch Anomaly

• The initial report revealed that both of the plane's engine fuel cut-off switches had flipped seconds after takeoff, cutting power to the engines.
• Investigators have not explained how the switches moved during the flight.
• The unexplained movement of the fuel switches has sparked debate among aviation experts.
• Some experts suggest the switches can only be moved deliberately and manually.
• Major pilots associations have rejected suggestions that pilot error may have caused the crash, calling such comments irresponsible and insensitive.

3. Regulatory Response and Inspections

• India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is reportedly expected to order airlines to inspect the locking mechanism of fuel switches across the Boeing 787 fleet.
• South Korea is also preparing to carry out similar checks.
• Etihad Airways has asked its pilots to be extremely cautious while handling the fuel cut-off switches and has ordered an inspection of their locking mechanism.

4. FAA Bulletin and Past Issues

• The incident has brought attention to a 2018 bulletin issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
• The FAA bulletin stated that some Boeing 737 fuel control switches were installed with a disengaged locking feature.
• No mandatory check was authorized following the FAA bulletin.
• Questions are now being asked about the role of the fuel cut-off switches and how they could have moved.

5. Crash Details and Casualties

• The London-bound jetliner took off from Ahmedabad on June 12th and started losing altitude at 650 feet in the air.
• The crash killed all but one person on board and more than a dozen others on the ground.

6. Synthesis/Conclusion

The Air India crash investigation is ongoing, with a focus on the unexplained movement of the engine fuel cut-off switches. While the preliminary report found no mechanical or maintenance issues, the incident has raised concerns about the locking mechanism of the fuel switches and prompted regulatory action. The investigation aims to determine the cause of the crash and address the safety concerns highlighted by the incident. The CEO urges caution against premature conclusions, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.