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No action recommended yet, what all Air India crash probe panel investigated: 10 points
Parts of an Air India plane that crashed on Thursday are seen on top of a building in Ahmedabad, India. AP
A preliminary report on the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad revealed some of the key facts that were previously unknown in the case. The report noted that the fuel to the engines of the aircraft that crashed and killed 260 people last month appeared to be cut off seconds after the flight took off.
The flight AI171 crashed into a densely populated residential area in Ahmedabad on June 12. While 241 passengers onboard were killed, with just one survivor, the impact also led to the death of 19 other people on the ground, making it one of the most devastating aviation disasters in Indian history. It was the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was bound for London, that crashed on the fateful day.
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The report released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau found that switches in the cockpit that controlled fuel moved to a 'cutoff' position and suggested that Boeing and engine maker GE had no apparent responsibility for the accident.
'The aircraft achieved the maximum recorded airspeed of 180 knots IAS [indicated airspeed] at about 08:08:42 UTC, and immediately thereafter, the engine 1 and engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 1 second," the report said. 'The engines N1 and N2 began to decrease from their takeoff values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off.' The aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall.
With the preliminary report out, here are the 10 things that have been investigated in the case as of now:
10 things the Air India probe panel investigated in the preliminary report
The investigation of the wreckage site activities, including Drone photography/videography, has been completed. The wreckage has now been moved to a 'secure area near the airport'.
Both engines of the aircraft were retrieved from the wreckage site and quarantined at a hangar in the airport.
Components of interest for further investigation have been identified and quarantined as well.
Fuel Samples taken from the browsers and tanks used to refuel the aircraft were tested at the DGCA's Lab and found satisfactory.
A very limited number of fuel samples could be retrieved from the APU filter and Refuel/Jettison valve of the left wing. The testing of these samples will be done at a suitable facility capable of carrying out the test with the limited available quantity.
The EAFR data downloaded from the forward EAFR is being analysed in detail.
The investigators have obtained all the statements of the witnesses and the surviving passenger.
Complete analysis of postmortem reports of the crew and the passengers is being undertaken to corroborate aeromedical findings with the engineering assessment.
Apart from this, additional details are being gathered based on the initial leads.
At this stage of the investigation, there are no recommended actions for B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers.
The report concluded by stating that the investigation is still ongoing and the authorities would further review and examine additional evidence, records and information that are currently being sought from the stakeholders.
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Business Standard
20 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
23 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
23 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
