Air India plane crash probe: ‘Why did you cut off?' pilot asked — Cockpit recording reveals final exchange
The cockpit voice recorder from the London-bound Air India 787 that crashed in Ahmedabad has revealed the final conversation between the flight Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and first officer Clive Kunder.
A 15-page preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in its detailing, disclosed that after the fuel supply to both engines of the aircraft was cut off, one pilot was heard asking 'Why did you cutoff?' to which the other replied, 'I did not do so,' suggesting a potential technical malfunction or involuntary activation.
The AAIB report, released a month after the June 12 crash, lists key details about the accident flight, the crew, and the final moments recorded in the cockpit.
Flight AI171 was operated by a flight crew comprising a Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and a Co-pilot, along with ten cabin crew members.
The report mentions that the operating crew had arrived in Ahmedabad a day earlier. Upon reaching the airport, the crew underwent a preflight breath analyser test at 06:25 UTC and were found 'fit to operate' the flight.
The report also stated that both pilots had adequate rest before operating the June 12 flight.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Vastu Compliant 3BHK @ Kalyani LivingTree, KIADB, Bagalur
Kalyani Developers
Learn More
Undo
Data from the aircraft's Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder (EAFR) showed that the aircraft had reached its maximum recorded airspeed just before the engine 1 and engine 2 fuel control switches were shifted from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' — one after the other.
AAIB report reveals minutes before the aircraft was airborne. At 07:55:15 UTC (13:25:15 IST), the aircraft requested taxi clearance, which was granted by Air Traffic Control (ATC).
The aircraft took off at 08:08:39 UTC (13:38:39 IST), and at 08:09:05 UTC (13:39:05 IST), one of the pilots transmitted a distress call: 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.'
The air traffic controller (ATCO) responded by asking for the flight's call sign but received no reply, the report said.
The report also stated that the aircraft's take-off weight was within allowable limits, and there were no dangerous goods listed onboard.
Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, including 241 onboard.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15 minutes ago
- Business Standard
A month on, soot-covered buildings mark site of Ahmedabad plane crash
The aircraft burst into flames, killing 241 out of 242 people onboard and 19 individuals on the ground, including several BJ Medical College students Press Trust of India Ahmedabad A month after the Air India plane crashed on the bustling medical hostel complex near Ahmedabad airport, charred trees, soot-covered walls, and empty buildings now serve as grim reminders of the deadliest aviation accident in a decade. On that day, Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft en route to London Gatwick, crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel complex shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport. The aircraft burst into flames, killing 241 out of 242 people onboard and 19 individuals on the ground, including several BJ Medical College students. At the time of the crash, many medical students and resident doctors were either in their hostel rooms or gathered in the mess for lunch. The tail section of the aircraft rammed into the mess building, turning an ordinary afternoon into a horrific scene of fire and destruction. Wreckage was scattered across the hostel grounds, and thick soot still clung to the damaged buildings. One month later, barring a contingent of police personnel, the crash site shows no signs of activity. Additional Commissioner of Police, Jaipal Singh Rathore, said approximately 50-60 police personnel have been deployed to guard the crash site. He said the arrangement will be withdrawn after AAIB gives us a report in the next 2-4 days stating they are no longer needed at the spot.. According to a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the wreckage was spread over an area approximately 1,000 feet by 400 feet. The aircraft's descent began with an impact against several trees and an incineration chimney within the Army Medical Corps compound before it crashed into the northeast wall of Building A (the mess building), it said. The crash site is located just 0.9 nautical miles from the departure end of the airport runway. Four hostel buildingsAtulyam 1 to 4and the mess building were severely damaged. BJ Medical College Dean Dr. Minakshi Parikh stated that approximately 150 students were displaced and promptly relocated to vacant rooms in other hostels or private apartments rented by the college. "Within a week, we had made alternative arrangements for accommodation. The damaged mess building is no longer in use, and students are now being served at canteens operating in other hostel buildings, she said. The AAIB stated, "As the aircraft was losing altitude, it initially made contact with a series of trees and an incineration chimney inside the Army Medical Corps compound before impacting the northeast wall of Building A (hostel mess)". The distance between the tree on which the aircraft made its initial contact and the point on Building A where the aircraft impacted is 293 ft. As the aircraft moved forward, it continued fragmenting and colliding with other structures and vegetation, it said. The report stated that the vertical stabiliser of the plane separated and came to rest about 200 feet south of the initial point of contact with the first building. The tail section and the main landing gear (MLG) of the aircraft were found embedded in the northeast wall of the same building while the rest of the aeroplane continued its forward movement, it said. The damaged terrace of the mess building is leaning, with a gaping hole created by the tail which was removed ten days after the crash. Further describing the impact of the crash, the AAIB report stated that the right engine of the aircraft struck the concrete water tank structure and rested underneath it after separating from the aeroplane. Different parts of the aircraft separated after its initial contact with the first building, and struck four other buildings. The parts of the right wing were found in two affected buildings and the surrounding areas, while the left engine hit the north corner of the fourth building at ground level. "The engine, remaining portions of the attached cowling, and the surrounding area were heavily damaged by fire," it said. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Print
18 minutes ago
- The Print
One month after Ahmedabad plane crash: Silence and soot-covered buildings stand as grim reminders
The aircraft burst into flames, killing 241 out of 242 people onboard and 19 individuals on the ground, including several BJ Medical College students. On that day, Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft en route to London Gatwick, crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel complex shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport. Ahmedabad, July 12 (PTI) A month after the Air India plane crashed on the bustling medical hostel complex near Ahmedabad airport, charred trees, soot-covered walls, and empty buildings now serve as grim reminders of the deadliest aviation accident in a decade. At the time of the crash, many medical students and resident doctors were either in their hostel rooms or gathered in the mess for lunch. The tail section of the aircraft rammed into the mess building, turning an ordinary afternoon into a horrific scene of fire and destruction. Wreckage was scattered across the hostel grounds, and thick soot still clung to the damaged buildings. One month later, barring a contingent of police personnel, the crash site shows no signs of activity. Additional Commissioner of Police, Jaipal Singh Rathore, said approximately 50-60 police personnel have been deployed to guard the crash site. He said the arrangement will be withdrawn after AAIB gives us a report in the next 2-4 days stating they are no longer needed at the spot.. According to a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the wreckage was spread over an area approximately 1,000 feet by 400 feet. The aircraft's descent began with an impact against several trees and an incineration chimney within the Army Medical Corps compound before it crashed into the northeast wall of Building A (the mess building), it said. The crash site is located just 0.9 nautical miles from the departure end of the airport runway. Four hostel buildings—Atulyam 1 to 4—and the mess building were severely damaged. BJ Medical College Dean Dr. Minakshi Parikh stated that approximately 150 students were displaced and promptly relocated to vacant rooms in other hostels or private apartments rented by the college. 'Within a week, we had made alternative arrangements for accommodation. The damaged mess building is no longer in use, and students are now being served at canteens operating in other hostel buildings,' she said. The AAIB stated, 'As the aircraft was losing altitude, it initially made contact with a series of trees and an incineration chimney inside the Army Medical Corps compound before impacting the northeast wall of Building A (hostel mess)'. The distance between the tree on which the aircraft made its initial contact and the point on Building A where the aircraft impacted is 293 ft. As the aircraft moved forward, it continued fragmenting and colliding with other structures and vegetation, it said. The report stated that the vertical stabiliser of the plane separated and came to rest about 200 feet south of the initial point of contact with the first building. The tail section and the main landing gear (MLG) of the aircraft were found embedded in the northeast wall of the same building while the rest of the aeroplane continued its forward movement, it said. The damaged terrace of the mess building is leaning, with a gaping hole created by the tail which was removed ten days after the crash. Further describing the impact of the crash, the AAIB report stated that the right engine of the aircraft struck the concrete water tank structure and rested underneath it after separating from the aeroplane. Different parts of the aircraft separated after its initial contact with the first building, and struck four other buildings. The parts of the right wing were found in two affected buildings and the surrounding areas, while the left engine hit the north corner of the fourth building at ground level. 'The engine, remaining portions of the attached cowling, and the surrounding area were heavily damaged by fire,' it said. PTI KA PD NSK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
The Print
19 minutes ago
- The Print
Air India crash preliminary report: A look at what fuel switches are designed to do & built-in safeguards
'Cut off' transition here refers to the fuel supply to the aircraft's engines being stopped, which could be one of the key reasons behind the tragedy. On 12 June, the London-bound 787-8 Dreamliner crashed within 1 minute of the departure time, right after take-off. At least 275 people died in the crash, including 241 of the 242 on board. New Delhi: The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's (AAIB) preliminary report on the Air India flight 171 crash refers to a cockpit conversation between the pilots on the transition of the fuel switches from 'run' to 'cut off'. The report says that immediately after take-off, fuel switches of both Engine 1 and Engine 2 transitioned from 'run' to 'cut off' position one after another with a time gap of one second. Speaking to ThePrint, an Air Line Pilots' Association (ALPA) of India spokesperson said there is little to no room for fuel switches to be cut off inadvertently. The spokesperson explained, 'Each engine of the Dreamlier has its own fuel switch. They have two positions—'run' and 'off'. There are locking mechanisms in place. The locking mechanism has to be disengaged, pushed and pulled and then it locks. It can't just be moved or turned off and on by hand. The fuel switches are guarded so that they aren't pulled inadvertently. There is a proper mechanism in place and the system alerts the pilots of each move.' The spokesperson also highlighted that such situations during take-off are far more critical than after the aircraft has reached a certain altitude, as then the pilots have more reaction time. One of the pilots on AI 171, as per the cockpit voice recordings, stated clearly that he had not turned the fuel switches off. All aircraft have systems in place to alert pilots in case fuel switches are turned off. The report also mentions that the CCTV footage obtained from the airport showed the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) getting deployed during the initial climb immediately after lift-off. RAT is typically deployed in emergency situations owing to loss of power in both engines or total electronic or hydraulic failure. The Boeing 787-8 en route from Ahmedabad to London on 12 June crashed 32 seconds after being airborne, within a minute of its scheduled departure time of 1.39 pm. The report does refer to a known Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) on the potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature. This was based on reports from operators of Model 737 airplanes that the fuel control switches were installed with the locking feature disengaged. However, this wasn't considered an unsafe condition that would warrant an airworthiness directive (AD) by the FAA and Air India didn't carry out the suggested inspections as the SAIB was an advisory and not mandatory. This design of the fuel control switches with the same locking mechanism is also present in other Boeing models, including the 787 series. This Dreamliner had the same relevant component (4TL837-3D). As per data from the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFR), within seconds, the switches for both the engines were transitioned from 'cut off' to 'run', which indicates that the pilots in the last moments had tried to save the flight from crashing. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: What could have gone wrong? A pilot & an ex-crew member reflect on AI 171 crash & rules of takeoff
