Air India probe of Boeing 787 fuel control switches finds no issues
NEW DELHI – India's aircraft accident investigation body said on July 17 it was too early to reach any 'definite conclusions' on what led to the deadly Air India Boeing plane crash in June that killed 260 people.
'We urge both the public and the media to refrain from spreading premature narratives that risk undermining the integrity of the investigative process,' Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) chief GVG Yugandhar said, adding the investigation is still not complete.
Earlier on July 17, the Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with US officials' early assessment of evidence, reported that a cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the flight indicated that the
captain cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines.
The AAIB's preliminary report on the crash on July 12 said one pilot was heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel and 'the other pilot responded that he did not do so'. It did not identify who made those remarks.
The two pilots in the flight deck were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who had total flying experience of 15,638 hours and 3,403 hours, respectively.
First Officer Kunder, who was flying the plane, asked Capt Sabharwal why he moved the fuel switches to the 'cutoff' position seconds after lifting off the runway, according to the Journal report.
The newspaper did not say if there was any evidence that Capt Sabharwal did move the switches, beyond the verbal exchange it cited.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Driverless bus in Sentosa gets green light to run without safety officer in first for S'pore
World US strikes destroyed only one of three Iranian nuclear sites, says new report
Business 5 things to know about Kuok Hui Kwong, tycoon Robert Kuok's daughter and Shangri-La Asia head honcho
Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore
Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail
Singapore Two women jailed for submitting fake university certificates to MOM for employment passes
Singapore Sex first, then you can sell my flat: Women property agents fend off indecent proposals and harassment
Singapore Premium China carmaker Hongqi, known for Xi Jinping's limos, to launch in Singapore in 2026
But it quoted US pilots who have read the Indian authorities' report as saying that First Officer Kunder, the pilot actively flying, likely would have had his hands full pulling back on the Dreamliner's controls at that stage of the flight. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
International Business Times
4 hours ago
- International Business Times
How Did Melina Frattolin Die? Missing Girl Found Dead in Less Than 24 Hours After Her Father Claimed She Was Kidnapped
A nine-year-old girl, Melina Frattolin, was reported missing by her father, Luciano Frattolin, late Saturday (July 19) at about 9:40 pm. He told authorities she had been abducted in a white van from a rest stop off Interstate 87 near Lake George, near the New York-Vermont border. Within 24 hours, she was found dead. Luciano Frattolin called the Warren County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) and described his daughter's alleged abduction. Melina was last seen wearing a blue-and-white striped shirt, white shorts, and white Adidas sneakers. After receiving the report, New York State Police (NYSP) promptly issued an Amber Alert on Saturday, believing Melina was in imminent danger. Amber Alerts are reserved for the most serious child-abduction cases, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). "The goal of an AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the community to assist in the search for and safe recovery of a missing child. These alerts are broadcast through radio, TV, road signs, cellphones, and other data-enabled devices," the description read. Missing Girl Found Dead The possible abduction took place in the area of Exit 22 in Lake George, upstate New York. It is a small waterside town in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, around 60 miles north of Albany, on Saturday. A massive search took place in the area by New York State Park Rangers, State Police K-9 and aviation units, the New York State Department of Conservation, the Essex and Warren County sheriff's offices, and the Ticonderoga Police Department. "The child was taken under circumstances that led police to believe that they are in imminent danger of serious bodily harm and/or death," police said in an initial statement issued with the amber alert. However, less than 24 hours after the officials issued the alert, police issued a heartbreaking update that the child was found dead. Melina was discovered in Ticonderoga, New York, on Sunday (July 20). It is around 45 miles south of where her father said she was snatched away. "The Warren County Sheriff's Office initially led the investigation. As the case progressed, law enforcement identified inconsistencies in the father's account of events and the timeline he provided. There is no indication that an abduction occurred and there is no threat to the public," NYSP said on Sunday (July 20). Luciano Frattolin X Investigation Underway Frattolin described the kidnapper as a five-foot-tall person who weighed 100 pounds. He also described the abductor as an Indian descent with brown eyes and brown hair. Both Melina and her father are Canadian residents. NYSP will hold a press conference on Monday (July 21) to share more details about the incident. No charges have been made yet. The missing child's father, Frattolin, is the owner of Gambella, an organic coffee brand. On the product's website, he is described as an experienced entrepreneur with a proven track record of building diverse, high-performance businesses. Here is the Complete Description:
Online Citizen
5 hours ago
- Online Citizen
Salad shop owner passes away after raising alarm over alleged foreign worker injury claim scam
Jane Lee, the owner of salad shop Sumo Salad at Holland Village, passed away on 19 July 2025. Her death came shortly after she posted a farewell message on Facebook. Details of her wake have been shared on social media. It will begin on Monday at 2.00pm, with her cremation scheduled for 23 July. Her death has shocked many in Singapore's small business community. Final Facebook messages revealed distress over alleged scam In a Facebook post dated 18 July, one day before her passing, Jane Lee shared troubling details of a recent incident that had caused her significant distress. In the post, she accused a former employee—an Indian worker who had approached her for employment—of staging a false injury just two days before the end of her employment contract. According to Lee, the worker claimed to have slipped and fallen while using the escalator to dispose of rubbish. However, Lee believed the incident was staged. Lee wrote that on the day of the incident, the employee had been scheduled to leave work early but had instead stayed beyond her usual hours. 'It became clear to me that the accident was premeditated, likely as an attempt to file a false work injury claim,' she stated. Allegations of premeditated scheme targeting small businesses Jane Lee further alleged that this was not the employee's first attempt at such a claim. She suspected the worker, along with her husband—also from India—and possibly aided by a legal firm, had orchestrated the event to exploit the injury claims system. Lee stated she had video footage contradicting the claim and had personally observed the employee moving freely, cooking and walking without signs of injury. However, according to Lee, the worker's demeanour changed when in the presence of doctors, where she allegedly exaggerated her condition. 'I accompanied her to several medical appointments and observed these deliberate actions,' Lee wrote. She suspected the scheme was designed to target small businesses. Concerns raised over insurance and alleged extortion Lee expressed that small businesses without proper insurance coverage were especially vulnerable. 'If they find one without proper insurance coverage, they instil fear and try to extort money,' she alleged. She included a reference to a screenshot sent to Ministry of Manpower (MOM) injury officer Dorathy Teng as part of her documentation. In insured cases, Lee claimed, the perpetrators sought larger payouts by fabricating serious injuries or permanent disabilities. She said she felt 'deeply saddened' for herself, her husband Victor, and their loyal team. The shop had encountered a gap in insurance coverage at the time of the alleged incident. Call for government investigation In one of her last public statements, Lee called on the Singapore Ministry of Manpower and the Singapore Police Force to investigate the case. 'I fear that I will not be the last victim,' she wrote. 'These individuals may continue to exploit other unsuspecting small businesses in similar ways.' She also asked friends and the wider public to help share her message, with the aim of preventing similar incidents. Lee's farewell message also included notes of gratitude to her staff, thanking them for their support and dedication over the years. To her family and children, she expressed sorrow that she could not find the strength to endure the hardship, noting that she had left a personal letter on her laptop. Facebook group Hawkers United also shared news of Lee's passing. The group's administrator, Melvin Chew, who owns Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck, expressed his deepest condolences to Lee's family. He commended Lee as one of the kindest individuals he knew, noting that whenever there were posts about hawkers or people in need, she would always be the first to offer help. Veteran food critic K.F. Seetoh expressed condolences on Facebook, recalling Jane Lee's warmth and sincerity during their brief encounters. He noted how her kindness extended even to casual customers, describing gestures that reflected her genuine character. Seetoh also reflected on the emotional toll of living in a high-pressure city like Singapore, linking it to broader issues of mental stress and exploitation. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please seek help immediately. In Singapore, you can contact the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) at 1-767 or text 9151 1767 for support. You're not alone, and help is available.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Straits Times
Trump says BRICS would end quickly if they ever form in a meaningful way
FILE PHOTO: An attendant stands next to South African, Indian, Russian, Brazilian and Chinese flags during a plenary session of BRICS Summit, in Xiamen, China September 4, 2017. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday repeated his threat to slap a 10% tariff on imports from members of the BRICS group of developing nations and said the group would end very quickly if they ever formed in a meaningful way. "When I heard about this group from BRICS, six countries, basically, I hit them very, very hard. And if they ever really form in a meaningful way, it will end very quickly," Trump said without naming the countries. "We can never let anyone play games with us." Trump also said he was committed to preserving the dollar's global status as a reserve currency and pledged to never allow the creation of a central bank digital currency in America. Trump announced the new tariff on July 6, saying it would apply to any countries aligning themselves with what he called the "Anti-American policies" of the BRICS group. With forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and the disruptive "America First" approach of the U.S. president, the BRICS group is presenting itself as a haven for multilateral diplomacy. Since issuing the threat, Trump has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the group was set up to hurt the United States and the dollar's role as the world's reserve currency. BRICS leaders have rejected the claim that the group is anti-American. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Critical infrastructure in S'pore under attack by cyber espionage group: Shanmugam Singapore What is UNC3886, the group that attacked Singapore's critical information infrastructure? Singapore Alleged Kpod peddler filmed trying to flee raid in Bishan charged with 6 offences Asia Indonesia court jails former trade minister for 4½ years in sugar graft case Singapore Singapore police in contact with Indonesian authorities over baby trafficking allegations Singapore NTU upholds zero grade for student accused of using AI in essay; panel found 14 false citations or data Singapore 7-year-old girl, cabby taken to hospital after vehicle pile-up in City Hall area Singapore Former NUH male nurse charged after he allegedly molested man at hospital Brazil in February nixed plans to push for a common currency during its presidency this year, but the group is advancing work on a cross-border payment system known as BRICS Pay that would facilitate trade and financial transactions in local currencies. The BRICS group expanded last year beyond Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include members such as Iran and Indonesia. Leaders at the group's summit in Brazil voiced indirect criticism of U.S. military and trade policies. Trump has also taken aim at Brazil specifically, announcing a 50% tariff rate on its imports, starting in August, and launching a separate investigation into what Washington called Brazil's "unfair" trading practices. REUTERS
