Air India Disaster Preliminary Report Analysis
Key Concepts:
- Fuel cutoff switches
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Foreign Object Debris (FOD)
- Boeing 787
- Human interference vs. Mechanical failure
- Safety advisories vs. Mandatory directives
Preliminary Report Findings and Concerns
The preliminary report on the Air India crash indicates a fuel supply cutoff to both engines shortly after takeoff. The flight, a Boeing 787, was en route from Metabot to London. All 260 people on board perished. The cockpit voice recording (CVR) contains a pilot asking why the other cut off the fuel switches, to which the other pilot denied doing so.
Sanjay Lazar, CEO of Vilas Consultants and an aviation legal expert, expressed concerns about the report, stating it raises more questions than answers. He highlighted the premature leak of report details to US media, specifically regarding the fuel switches and an alleged disagreement between the NTSB and the AIB, with threats of the NTSB walking out.
Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) Transcript Omission
Lazar criticized the omission of the full CVR transcript in the preliminary report, citing only the exchange about the fuel cutoff. This lack of transparency creates a "cloud of mystery," suggesting potential confusion, unintentional cutoff, or even deception.
FAA Directives and Potential Fuel Switch Issues
The AIB referenced a 2018 FAA advisory regarding potential errors in fuel switches, though it was not a mandatory directive. Lazar also pointed to a May 2022 mandatory FAA directive concerning engine fire control panel and engine fire shutoff switches. This directive emphasized the need to check for issues, prompted by a report indicating Foreign Object Debris (FOD) during maintenance could cause "uncommanded activation of the engine fuel shutoff."
Lack of Safety Recommendations
Lazar questioned why the AIB stated there were no safety recommendations for Boeing or GE at this stage of the investigation. He argued that the AIB should either present all available facts, including evidence of deliberate or unintentional pilot action, or provide the collected documentary evidence.
Boeing Advisory and Air India's Response
In 2018, Boeing issued an advisory to airlines to check if fuel control switch locks were disengaged. The Indian Aviation report indicated Air India did not perform these checks. Lazar noted that the AIB acknowledged this was only an advisory, not a mandatory check. He suggested that if the issue was critical, the FAA should have made it mandatory, especially considering the 2022 directive.
Routine Checks and Switch Usage
The position of the fuel switch locks is part of the routine security checklist for pilots before takeoff. The switches are used daily for takeoff, landing, and shutdown operations. The module containing the switches was replaced in 2023 on the Air India aircraft.
Human Interference vs. Mechanical Failure
Based on the report's structure, Lazar estimated an 80/20 leaning towards human interference over mechanical failure. He emphasized that sabotage was not explicitly mentioned in the report.
Aviation Expert Bavia Vani's Perspective
Aviation expert Bavia Vani expressed surprise that the focus shifted to fuel control, as initial speculation centered on bird strikes or engine failure. Vani believes pilot error is unlikely, given the captain's experience (8,000 hours on the aircraft) and training background. She leans towards a technical or mechanical failure, citing the security features on the fuel switches.
Vani highlighted that the checklist includes engine start and runoff procedures, making it unlikely pilots would intentionally cut off fuel during takeoff. She suggested the investigators should consider mechanical failure of the fuel switches.
Unanswered Questions and Future Investigation
Vani emphasized that the Boeing 787 is generally a safe and modern aircraft. She urged investigators to consider technical errors, particularly electrical issues known to affect the Boeing 787-3 blinder variant, and not solely focus on pilot error.
Synthesis/Conclusion
The preliminary report on the Air India disaster raises significant concerns regarding the fuel supply cutoff. While the report hints at potential human interference, experts emphasize the need to thoroughly investigate potential mechanical failures, particularly related to the fuel switches and electrical systems of the Boeing 787. The omission of the full CVR transcript and the debate over the significance of FAA advisories and directives add complexity to the investigation. A comprehensive investigation is crucial to determine the root cause and prevent future incidents.
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