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The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the June 12 Air India plane crash near Ahmedabad airport, which tragically resulted in the loss of 260 lives. This report, issued approximately one month after the devastating event, marks a significant step in the ongoing investigation into the causes and circumstances surrounding the crash of the Boeing Dreamliner 787-8. The AAIB, an autonomous body responsible for investigating aircraft accidents in India, has been under intense scrutiny since the release of its 15-page initial report on July 12. The investigation team comprises a multidisciplinary group of experts, including AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar, an aviation medicine specialist, an air traffic control officer, and representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). This collaborative effort underscores the complexity and importance of the investigation, drawing on expertise from various fields and international organizations. The preliminary report, while providing crucial initial findings, has also faced criticism for allegedly exceeding its mandate by offering additional details selectively. In response to these concerns, AAIB Director General Yugandhar emphasized that the report's purpose is to present factual information about what transpired during the incident and that it is too early to draw definitive conclusions. He further clarified that the investigation is ongoing, and the final report, expected within a year, will delve into the root causes of the crash and provide recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future. The timeline of key events in the investigation highlights the rapid response and meticulous approach taken by the AAIB and its partners. Immediately following the crash on June 12, which occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, the AAIB launched a full-scale investigation. The recovery of the black boxes, vital for reconstructing the events leading up to the crash, was a priority. The rear black box was found on June 13, albeit with extensive thermal damage, while the forward black box was recovered on June 16, also burnt and covered in soot. The involvement of international agencies such as the NTSB from the United States and the AAIB from the United Kingdom underscores the collaborative nature of the investigation. The NTSB team, including representatives from Boeing, GE, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), arrived in Ahmedabad on June 15 to participate in the on-site investigation. The data retrieved from the black boxes played a crucial role in the investigation. Both black boxes, manufactured by General Electric Co (GE.N), contain a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder, providing valuable insights into the crew's actions and the aircraft's performance in the moments before the crash. The damaged flight recorders were transported to the AAIB's facility in New Delhi on June 24. The AAIB successfully downloaded the data by acquiring the necessary equipment, including a 'Golden Chassis' and download cables, from the DGCA and other Accident Investigation Authorities. The downloaded flight data encompassed approximately 49 hours of flight data and six flights, including the ill-fated event flight. The preliminary investigation report, released on July 12, offered the most detailed account of the incident to date. A critical finding was the transition of the aircraft's engine fuel control switches from the 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' position within a second of each other shortly after takeoff. This observation raised significant questions about the cause of the crash, as it suggested a sudden interruption of fuel flow to the engines. The report deliberately uses the term 'transitioned' to describe the change of mode from RUN to CUTOFF, without implying any physical movement of the fuel control switches by the pilots. Notably, the report explicitly states that it does not suggest that the pilots moved these switches. The cockpit voice recorder data revealed a conversation between the pilots, with one pilot questioning the other about cutting off the fuel, to which the other pilot denied any involvement. The pilot flying was co-pilot Clive Kunder, while pilot-in-command Sumeet Sabharwal was the pilot monitoring for this flight. This exchange heightened the mystery surrounding the engine fuel control switch transition, as it indicated that neither pilot knowingly initiated the shutdown. The absence of recommended actions to Boeing or GE in the preliminary report suggests that a fault in the aircraft or engines was initially considered unlikely, although this remains a subject of ongoing investigation. However, the Indian Express reported on July 17 that investigators were examining the history of technical snags and the possibility of system malfunction that can impact the FADEC’s (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) Engine Control Unit (the brain of the aircraft) to trigger “uncommanded” actions. These developments introduced the possibility of technical malfunction as a contributing factor in the crash.
In response to growing media speculation surrounding the causes of the crash, AAIB Director General Yugandhar issued an appeal on July 17, urging the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives around the ongoing investigation. He expressed concern that certain sections of the international media were attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting, which he deemed irresponsible given the ongoing nature of the investigation. This statement underscores the importance of avoiding speculation and allowing the investigative process to unfold without undue influence from external pressures. The head of the US probe agency, Jennifer Homendy, echoed Yugandhar's concerns on July 19, urging everyone to avoid speculation and labeling recent media reports surrounding the probable causes of the crash as "premature and speculative." Homendy's statement was prompted by reports in several US-based publications suggesting that deliberate action by one of the pilots was the most likely cause of the crash. Such allegations, made without conclusive evidence, can have a detrimental impact on the investigation and potentially lead to the unjust attribution of blame. The investigation is now focusing on the possibility of a system malfunction impacting the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) Engine Control Unit, which could potentially trigger uncommanded actions. The FADEC system is the brain of the aircraft's engines, and any malfunction within this system could have significant consequences. This line of inquiry underscores the complexity of the investigation, which is exploring multiple potential causes and scenarios. The AAIB’s press release has stated that, through the retrieval and analysis of data from the damaged flight recorders, they were able to determine that the fuel control switches transitioned from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ position within a second of each other moments after lift-off. To be sure, the report doesn’t mention that the fuel control switches — which allow and cut fuel flow to the plane’s engines — moved physically, and uses the term “transitioned” to describe the change of mode from RUN to CUTOFF. It also does not state these were moved by either of the pilots. The cockpit voice recorder data, in conjunction with the flight data recorder data, will likely offer deeper insight into the precise sequence of events that occurred leading up to the engine shutdown. Further analysis of the flight data, along with metallurgical and chemical analysis of recovered aircraft parts, may lead to the identification of any potential mechanical failures or design flaws that may have contributed to the crash. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a sophisticated aircraft, and any investigation into its failures must consider all possibilities, including human error, mechanical failure, system malfunction, and external factors. The final report from the AAIB, expected in approximately one year, will be a critical document that will provide a comprehensive analysis of the causes of the crash and offer recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future. This report will be of immense value to the aviation industry, regulatory agencies, and aircraft manufacturers, as it will provide insights into potential vulnerabilities in aircraft design, maintenance procedures, and pilot training.
The Air India crash investigation highlights the complexities and challenges inherent in investigating aviation disasters. The process requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving experts from various fields and international agencies, to gather evidence, analyze data, and draw conclusions about the causes of the accident. The timeline of events in the Air India crash investigation demonstrates the rapid response and meticulous approach taken by the AAIB and its partners. From the initial launch of the investigation to the recovery of the black boxes and the release of the preliminary report, each step in the process has been crucial to piecing together the events leading up to the crash. The investigation has also been subject to external pressures, including media speculation and public scrutiny. The AAIB and other investigative agencies have emphasized the importance of avoiding premature narratives and allowing the investigation to proceed without undue influence from external sources. The final report from the AAIB will provide a comprehensive analysis of the causes of the crash and offer recommendations for preventing similar incidents in the future. This report will be of immense value to the aviation industry, regulatory agencies, and aircraft manufacturers, as it will provide insights into potential vulnerabilities in aircraft design, maintenance procedures, and pilot training. In addition to the technical aspects of the investigation, the human element must also be considered. The tragic loss of life in the Air India crash has had a profound impact on the families of the victims, the aviation community, and the nation as a whole. The investigation must be conducted with sensitivity and respect for the victims and their families. The findings of the investigation may also have legal and financial implications. Depending on the causes of the crash, there may be legal claims against the airline, the aircraft manufacturer, or other parties. The investigation will also inform policy decisions regarding aviation safety and regulations. The Air India crash investigation is a complex and ongoing process that requires a multidisciplinary approach, a commitment to thoroughness, and a sensitivity to the human element. The final report from the AAIB will be a critical document that will contribute to the ongoing effort to improve aviation safety and prevent future tragedies. The focus remains on understanding the sequence of events leading up to the crash, analyzing the contributing factors, and formulating recommendations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Only through a rigorous and transparent investigation can the aviation industry learn from this tragic event and ensure the safety of passengers and crew in the years to come. The investigation continues to emphasize the importance of collaboration between various stakeholders, including the AAIB, NTSB, Boeing, GE, and other relevant organizations. This collaborative approach ensures that all available expertise and resources are brought to bear on the investigation, maximizing the chances of identifying the root causes of the crash and implementing effective preventative measures.