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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] The fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff, which killed 274 people, including passengers and residents on the ground, was caused by an inadvertent shutdown of fuel supply to the engines, according to a preliminary investigation.
On July 12 (local time), The New York Times and BBC reported that India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report based on analysis of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the incident.
The report indicates that the aircraft, which departed from Ahmedabad Airport in Gujarat on June 12, experienced a sudden and simultaneous switch of two fuel control switches from the "Run" to "Cutoff" position just seconds after takeoff. These switches regulate the flow of fuel to the engines and are typically used only during engine start-up or shutdown—most often after landing.
The cockpit voice recording captured one pilot asking, "Why did you cut off the fuel?" to which the other responded, "I didn’t." It remains unclear which of the two pilots—both highly experienced—made the switch. The captain had over 15,000 hours of flight time, while the first officer had logged over 3,400 hours.
According to the flight data recorder, one of the switches was reset within 10 seconds, restoring fuel flow, but one engine failed to recover. The aircraft lost thrust and rapidly descended before crashing into a residential area.
Experts have expressed skepticism that the switches could have moved without manual input. Aviation investigator and Ohio State University professor Sean Pruchnicki explained that the switches are typically protected by mechanical safeguards designed to prevent accidental engagement.
The investigation is still ongoing, and a final report is expected within one year.
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
