logo
‘Human hand' HAD to be involved in Air India crash disaster, pilot says…as he reveals billions-to-one odds of tech fault

‘Human hand' HAD to be involved in Air India crash disaster, pilot says…as he reveals billions-to-one odds of tech fault

Scottish Sun16-07-2025
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
AN EXPLOSIVE new theory from a top aviation expert has ignited fears that the devastating Air India crash may not have been an accident - but the result of a human act inside the cockpit.
Captain Steve Scheibner suggested there was a "human hand" behind the tragedy of fight AI 171 - and insisted the aircraft itself was not to blame.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
12
The plane seconds before disaster
12
Officials inspect the remains of the Air India passenger plane at the crash site in Ahmedabad
Credit: Knaresborough Cricket Club
12
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner plummeted into a doctors' hostel
12
Captain Steve Scheibner believes the Air India crash may have been a result of a human act inside the cockpit, not an accident
Credit: Piers Morgan Uncensored
Scheibner, a seasoned pilot and respected aviation analyst, told Piers Morgan Uncensored: "I don't think Boeing has fault in this one.
"My take on it is that the aeroplane was operating exactly the way it was designed, I don't think there was anything wrong with this particular aircraft."
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner plummeted into a doctors' hostel just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad on July 13.
It killed 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground in one of the worst disasters in aviation history, with only one passenger miraculously surviving.
But while the early narrative leaned toward tragic malfunction, Scheibner was blunt: "When you place both fuel cutoff switches to cut off, that will fuel-starve the engines and they'll both flame out."
And whether it was intentional or a mistake, he said: "Some things are plain and some things are clear, whether it was intentional, placing of the fuel control switches to cut off, or unintentional, that's two different things.
"But I really firmly believe that there had to be a human hand on both of those for them to go to cut off."
His comments follow a damning preliminary report by Indian crash investigators, which found the Dreamliner's fuel switches were manually moved from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" shortly after liftoff - an action that shut down both engines and triggered a fatal loss of thrust.
They were turned back to "RUN" seconds before the crash, but it was too late.
Cockpit audio captured one pilot asking: 'Why did you cut off?' and the other replying, 'I didn't.'
Fuel switch-off on doomed Air India flight looks to be 'conscious human action', former pilot says
12
A cockpit view of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft shows the fuel switch; Annotations by The Sun Graphics
Credit: Getty
12
An image showing how the fuel cut off switches have to be deliberately 'unlocked' before being moved
Neither crew member was identified in the report, which also refrained from stating whether the switches were moved by mistake or by deliberate action.
"There is no universe where there's any procedure ever in the history of commercial flight where you place both fuel control switches to cut off, leave them there for 10 seconds, right after rotate," Scheibner said, referencing the moment of liftoff.
'Two and a half billion to one'
The aviation expert said the offs of a dual engine flameout on a Boeing 787 seconds after takeoff were "two and a half billion to one".
"Everything just seems unbelievable," he added.
Scheibner went on to explain: "There is no universe where there's any procedure ever in the history of commercial flight where you place both fuel control switches to cut off, leave them there for 10 seconds, right after, rotate, there is just not a scenario that that fits into.
"And this according to the report, that's what happened."
Key findings of the report:
Dual engine shutdown - fuel cutoff switches moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF'
- fuel cutoff switches moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' Confusion between pilots - cockpit audio confirms one pilot asked 'why did you cutoff', the other replied 'I didn't'
- cockpit audio confirms one pilot asked 'why did you cutoff', the other replied 'I didn't' RAT deployed - as seen in CCTV footage before the crash
- as seen in CCTV footage before the crash Engine relight attempted - fuel switches were found returned to the "RUN" at crash site
- fuel switches were found returned to the "RUN" at crash site 32 seconds - the time the aircraft was airborne before it crashed
the time the aircraft was airborne before it crashed Thrust levers mismatch - Thrust levers found at idle but black box data shows takeoff thrust was still engaged
- Thrust levers found at idle but black box data shows takeoff thrust was still engaged Fuel test pass - fuel was clean without any contamination
- fuel was clean without any contamination Normal take-off set-up - Flaps and landing gear correctly configured
- Flaps and landing gear correctly configured No bird activity - clear skies, good visibility, light winds
- clear skies, good visibility, light winds Pilot credentials clear - both medically fit and rested
- both medically fit and rested No sabotage detected - although FAA alerted over a known fuel switch vulnerability not checked by Air India
- although FAA alerted over a known fuel switch vulnerability not checked by Air India Aircraft loading - the flight was within weight and balance limits
Captain Scheibner isn't the only one raising red flags.
Ex-pilot and aviation commentator Terry Tozer also weighed in this week, calling the odds of accidental switch-off "vanishingly small".
He told The Sun: "The fuel cutoff switches were actioned shortly after lift off from RUN to CUTOFF.
"That implies that somebody did that as a conscious human action, because so far as we understand, these switches have a lock mechanism."
"They have to be lifted in order to be moved," he explained.
"Otherwise they lock in position."
Tozer flatly dismissed the idea of accidental flicking, saying: "I can't see why any pilot would have their hands anywhere near the area where these switches are located."
12
Vishwash Ramesh, the sole survivor of the Air India crash, poses for the first time since the disaster
12
Wreckage of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner plane sits on the ground outside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
12
Landing gear of the Air India plane crashed directly on the BJ Medical College UG hostel mess
Tragic profile emerges
The growing suspicion around the crash deepens with revelations about the pilot at the helm.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a respected 56-year-old veteran, was reportedly just months from retirement and grieving the recent death of his mum.
Neighbours say he was planning to leave flying altogether to care for his 92-year-old father.
'Just one or two more flights… then I'm going to just be with Papa,' he reportedly told a friend.
But now, Captain Sabharwal's mental health is under scrutiny.
Aviation sources in India told The Telegraph he had battled depression and taken time off in the years before the crash.
Though he passed a Class I medical exam in September 2024, investigators are now combing through his medical records for clues.
Leading Indian aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan said: 'I have heard from several Air India pilots who told me he had some depression and mental health issues. He had taken time off from flying in the last three to four years.'
Families of the victims who tragically died in the crash have slammed the preliminary report as a cover-up.
They have dubbed the investigation "biased" and said it only appears to "blame the dead pilots".
The Airline Pilots' Association of India (APAI) rejected the 'tone and direction' of the inquiry and said it came without sufficient evidence.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson also urged caution, warning staff in a leaked memo that the probe was far from over.
'The preliminary report identified no cause nor made any recommendations,' he wrote, adding that 'it provided both greater clarity and opened additional questions.'
12
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was the lead pilot in the doomed Air India flight
Credit: YouTube @Sheriff Hutton Bridge Cricket Club
12
Clive Kunder was the co-pilot on the doomed flight
No fault found with aircraft
The report confirmed that there were no mechanical issues, no bird strikes, and no fuel contamination.
The aircraft's configuration for takeoff was normal, and both pilots were medically cleared and well-rested.
It also highlighted that Boeing's fuel control switches — which require lifting and unlocking before moving — were working as designed.
The FAA had issued a non-binding notice in 2018 about switch locking mechanisms on similar aircraft, but no airworthiness directive followed, and Air India admitted it had not carried out the suggested inspections.
Still, both Scheibner and Tozer agree: it's extraordinarily unlikely this was a case of pure human error.
'We do know that the switches were placed to cut off,' said Scheibner.
'And 10 seconds later they were placed back to run… if one did it, the other probably was the one that undid it.'
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Major garden retailer slashes cost of gorgeous blue hydrangeas that ‘bloom 30 flowers in first season' from £40 to £20
Major garden retailer slashes cost of gorgeous blue hydrangeas that ‘bloom 30 flowers in first season' from £40 to £20

Scottish Sun

timean hour ago

  • Scottish Sun

Major garden retailer slashes cost of gorgeous blue hydrangeas that ‘bloom 30 flowers in first season' from £40 to £20

Scroll down to find out how to get your hydrangeas to bloom until October FLOWER POWER Major garden retailer slashes cost of gorgeous blue hydrangeas that 'bloom 30 flowers in first season' from £40 to £20 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE garden retailer has slashed the price of stunning blue hydrangeas by half. Hydrangeas make a gorgeous edition to any garden, and are loved by gardeners thanks to their huge, luscious blooms. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 These gorgeous hydrangeas have been slashed in price Credit: Gardening Express 2 The huge flowers can bloom until October Credit: Gardening Express Their vibrant colours and large size mean they instantly elevate any garden, and the monstrous plants can grow up to 30 flower heads during their first flowering season. If you're looking to transform your garden into a haven this summer, and make your outdoor space the envy of your neighbours, hydrangeas are undoubtedly a great choice. And if you're a garden lover on a budget, Gardening Express is currently selling huge blooms for just £19.99, down from £40. The plants come in 10-litre pots, and are perfect for beds, borders or planters. The XXXL Mophead plant has giant blue blooms, which can grow to the size of footballs when fully grown. The flowers will last for the entire summer, before fading to a purple colour during autumn. If your garden soil is heavy in alkaline, the blooms turn from blue to pink, and can even turn a lavender colours, depending on the soil's PH. Each winter, you should cut the plant near ground level, and watch new stems pop up in the new year. Gardening Express said: "Wow! These plants are monsters, and can be expected to throw out up to 30 strong flower heads during their first flowering season in your garden. "A wonderful Hydrangea variety with huge flowers, often found in high class florist bouquets, it has really massive blooms." I'm a gardening pro – my simple tip will revive 'dead' hydrangeas in seconds How to get hydrangeas to bloom until October A TikTok flower expert has revealed her top three tips for gardeners to know to keep their hydrangeas blooming through to October. By doing these things, it will help stop the flowers turning "brown and crispy", as temperatures heat up. One sister from the popular TikTok duo, Miller Flowers, shared the advice online which attracted a number of comments, likes and shares from garden enthusiasts. The first tip is around watering, as "hydrangeas are plants that love water". The 5 best flowers to help bees to thrive Nature experts at Faith In Nature have shared the 5 best flowers Brits can plant in their gardens to help bees thrive. Rebecca Miller, Fabulous' Associate Editor and keen gardener explains why "bees are brilliant". "They are vital. They pollinate our food and play a crucial role in our ecosystem. But climate change, the increasing use of pesticides and loss of habitat means bees are endangered. No matter how big your garden or outside space is, you can plant a flower or two to help bees." Lavender Lavender can thrive in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. It's fragrant and flowers all-summer-long meaning it's a big hit with bees - especially bumble bees. Sunflowers This cheery flower giant are bee-magnets. And if you look closely at a sunflower head, the big 'flowers' are actually a cluster of small flowers, called an inflorescence which attract pollinators. Ideally, grow sunflowers in groups to provide nectar and pollen for as many bees as possible. At the end of summer, collect the dried seeds from the sunflower heads to feed the birds or plant next year. Heather These abundant, bell-shaped blooms are brimming with nectar and pollen – which is good news for bees. Cornflowers A vivid blue wildflower, cornflowers are often planted alongside other meadow blooms, like ox-eye daisies and poppies. They grow on tall stems and are packed with nectar, making them particularly attractive to bees. Cornflowers bloom for a long time and are simple to grow, so they're perfect for first-time gardeners and experienced alike. Crocuses (and snowdrops) Later this summer, when you're starting to plan for your Spring displays, consider crocuses and snowdrops. They provide bees, such as the queen buff-tailed bumblebee and male hairy-footed flower bees, with vital early pollen as they emerge from their winter hibernation. It is recommended to water them three times a week, for ten minutes. Where the hydrangeas are positioned in the garden is also a valuable component to consider for their optimal flowering. Hydrangeas need both sun and shade. A little fertilisation can be particularly useful for hydrangeas in climates where it is continually warm. It can encourage more blooms, and help them deal with heat. However, it is not always necessary, also depending on the soil used, and time of the year.

New map reveals Japanese Knotweed hotspots in UK wiping thousands off house prices – is your town on the list?
New map reveals Japanese Knotweed hotspots in UK wiping thousands off house prices – is your town on the list?

Scottish Sun

time4 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

New map reveals Japanese Knotweed hotspots in UK wiping thousands off house prices – is your town on the list?

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JAPANESE Knotweed is the UK's most invasive plant, and it wreaks havoc on homes across the country. With over 100,000 infestations every year, the pesky plant can damage buildings and knock thousands off properties. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Japanese knotweed is an invasive plant, and it can knock thousands off properties Credit: Alamy An interactive online map has been revealed and lifts the lid on where this fast-spreading menace is causing the most destruction. Leading the charge in England is Bristol, officially crowned the knotweed capital with a jaw-dropping 33.91 infestations per square mile. Hot on its heels are Merseyside (11.87), Greater London (7.74), and Lancashire (7.25), making it clear this isn't just a rural issue – it's a national one. Wales isn't spared either. Newport tops the 2025 list with a staggering 1,747 known cases, closely followed by Cardiff (1,208) and Bridgend (1,209). And while cities are bearing the brunt, rural areas like Gwynedd, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil aren't far behind. The Environet map isn't just for nosy neighbours – it's a vital tool for homeowners, buyers and surveyors. Just pop in a postcode and see your area's risk level at a glance: yellow for low, orange for moderate and red for high. And if you spot a fresh outbreak? You can upload a photo using the 'Add Sighting' feature and help grow the UK's biggest knotweed database. Japanese knotweed isn't just ugly – it can damage buildings, knock thousands off property values and even derail mortgage applications. 'It causes severe damage and can be as bad a Japanese knotweed,' gardeners warned over plant that can devalue your home Knowing what you're dealing with is essential, especially if you're buying, selling or developing. And for those wanting a deeper dive, Environet's KnotSure service combines expert insight with the power of the heatmap. The country saw a growth spurt in June after heavy rainfall after a long dry spell. Sold property expert Terry Fisher warned: "These conditions can result in "growth spurts" for the invasive plant which can cause a plethora of problems for homeowners. Mr Fisher continued: 'We've been basking in the glorious sunshine, but now the rain has made an epic return. 'This combination of wet and warm creates the ideal conditions for Japanese knotweed to thrive and even go into a super growth. "Meaning homeowners might unearth a beast in their gardens this spring," reported The Argus. What does Japanese Knotweed look like? Japanese Knotweed can grow at up to 10cm a day in the summer and reach up to 7ft high. Gardening expert, Kendal Platt, who runs Adventures with Flowers, said: "The shoots look similar to bamboo shoots growing 2- 3metres tall. "They are hollow and coloured red in the Spring and turn green in the summer. "Their leaves which appear in Spring are shield or heart-shaped with a pointed tip and grow at staggered intervals along the length of the shoots. "They can grow up to 20cm long and die back in winter leaving just the brown dead looking canes above ground. They further explained that the flowers appear in late summer as bunches of creamy white flowers growing in amongst the leaves. How to spot a Japanese Knotweed HOW to spot Japanese Knotweed and what to do if you find it. GARDENING expert, Kendal Platt, who runs Adventures with Flowers, said: "Japanese knotweed shoots look similar to bamboo shoots growing 2- 3metres tall". They are hollow and coloured red in the Spring and turn green in the summer. Their leaves which appear in Spring are shield or heart-shaped with a pointed tip and grow at staggered intervals along the length of the shoots. They can grow up to 20cm long and die back in winter leaving just the brown dead looking canes above ground. The flowers appear in late summer as bunches of creamy white flowers growing in amongst the leaves. It spreads through its rhizomes (underground root system) which are dark brown on the outside and orange on the inside. They can burrow up to 3 metres under ground causing damage to buildings and break easily, so can be hard to remove completely. If you find it in your garden it's important to call in a specialist Japanese Knotweed removal company. They use a glyphosate based herbicide which when injected into the plant at the right time of year can kill it. It may take a few years of repeated application to eradicate the plant completely from your property which is why many removal companies recommend a glyphosate treatment programme over a number of years.

Cruise ship crew member dies after falling overboard on Icon of the Seas vessel in Caribbean sparking rescue operation
Cruise ship crew member dies after falling overboard on Icon of the Seas vessel in Caribbean sparking rescue operation

Scottish Sun

time5 hours ago

  • Scottish Sun

Cruise ship crew member dies after falling overboard on Icon of the Seas vessel in Caribbean sparking rescue operation

The cruise ship immediately slowed and turned back after an alarm was sounded CRUISE TRAGEDY Cruise ship crew member dies after falling overboard on Icon of the Seas vessel in Caribbean sparking rescue operation Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A CREW member on the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship has died after falling overboard. Passengers said an alarm was sounded at around 7pm on Thursday - warning of a person overboard. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A crew member fell overboard on the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas cruise ship 2 A rescue boat searching the waters after a staff member fell overboard A crew member was recovered from the water 30 minutes later after a huge search and rescue operation. They were sadly pronounced dead, Royal Caribbean said. A spokesperson told The Sun: "Our crew immediately initiated a search and rescue operation, but unfortunately the crew member passed away. "We extend our condolences to the crew member's family and loved ones. "To respect their privacy, we have no additional details to share." According to reports, the cruise ship immediately slowed and turned back after the alarm was sounded. Data shows the ship's course change northeast of San Salvador Island in the Bahamas, roughly 200 miles east of Nassau. Panicked passengers desperately tried to help save the crew member by throwing life rings into the water, reports say. Decks were cordoned off while rescue efforts were underway to find the staff member. It comes after a a Brit tourist died on a cruise ship travelling through a popular Greek island. On another ship, a captain died in the middle of a 19-day voyage in Asia. And a cruise ship passenger died just days before Christmas last year after trying to jump from the vessel.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store