A preliminary investigation into the Air India crash on June 12 has revealed what happened in the final moments of the flight. The Boeing Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad airport and crashed just 32 seconds later, killing all but one person on board.
The report focuses on the actions taken by pilots after takeoff, showing that two fuel control switches were moved to the ‘cutoff’ position in quick succession. This action cut off fuel supply to the engines, immediately causing the aircraft to lose thrust.
Experts say a pilot could not have accidentally moved the switches, as they require movement before being set to cutoff. The switches are equipped with a spring-loaded locking mechanism that prevents unintended movement.
Before takeoff, all systems were reported to be functioning normally, and the aircraft was cleared for takeoff just 1 minute and 38 seconds before the crash. However, in the final 32 seconds after takeoff, critical events unfolded, including the activation of emergency power supply units and the attempted relighting of the engines.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau leading the inquiry. A final report is expected within a year.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/graphics/INDIA-CRASH/TIMELINE/xmvjelqwlpr