logo
US officials blame Air India captain for crash

US officials blame Air India captain for crash

A cockpit recording of dialogue between the two pilots of the Air India flight that crashed last month supports the view that the captain cut the flow of fuel to the plane's engines, said a source briefed on US officials' early assessment of evidence.
The first officer was at the controls of the Boeing 787 and asked the captain why he moved the fuel switches into a position that starved the engines of fuel and requested that he restore the fuel flow, the source told Reuters on condition of anonymity because the matter remains under investigation.
The US assessment is not contained in a formal document, said the source, who emphasised the cause of the June 12 crash in Ahmedabad, the capital of western Indian state of Gujarat that killed 260 people, remains under investigation.
There was no cockpit video recording definitively showing which pilot flipped the switches, but the weight of evidence from the conversation points to the captain, according to the early assessment. Indian officials said investigation was ongoing and it remained too early to draw definitive conclusions.
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which is leading the investigation into the crash, said in a statement on Thursday that "certain sections of the international media are repeatedly attempting to draw conclusions through selective and unverified reporting."
The Wall Street Journal first reported similar information on Wednesday about the world's deadliest aviation accident in a decade. After that the Federation of Indian Pilots sent a legal notice to Reuters about a July 17 story published by the news agency which referenced the WSJ article.
A preliminary report released by the AAIB on Saturday said that one of the two pilots in the cockpit was heard on the voice recorder, asking the other why he cut off the fuel and "the other pilot responded that he did not do so."
The AAIB investigators did not identify which remarks were made by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and which by First Officer Clive Kunder, who had total flying experience of 15,638 hours and 3,403 hours, respectively.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Security forces kill four more terrorists in Kalat sanitisation operation: ISPR
Security forces kill four more terrorists in Kalat sanitisation operation: ISPR

Business Recorder

time8 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Security forces kill four more terrorists in Kalat sanitisation operation: ISPR

The security forces have killed four more terrorists during sanitisation operation in Kalat district, a couple of days after they killed as many other terrorists in the same district, the military's media wing said on Tuesday. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said a successful intelligence based operation (IBO) was conducted by the security forces in Balochistan's Kalat district on July 19, during which 'four terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan, were sent to hell'. After that, a 'deliberate sanitisation operation' was conducted in the surrounding areas on July 21, it said, adding 'four more terrorists of Fitna al Hindustan were hunted down and successfully neutralised' during this operation. The ISPR said terrorist hideout was also busted and a large quantity of weapons, ammunition and explosives were recovered. 'Security Forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain determined to thwart attempts by Indian proxies at sabotaging peace, stability and progress of Balochistan,' it maintained.

Bedouin civilians depart Sweida after days of fighting
Bedouin civilians depart Sweida after days of fighting

Business Recorder

time19 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Bedouin civilians depart Sweida after days of fighting

DAMASCUS: Hundreds of Bedouin civilians were evacuated from Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida on Monday as part of a US-backed truce meant to end days of bloodshed in southern Syria, state media and witnesses said. With hundreds reported killed, the violence in the southern province of Sweida has posed a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, drawing Israeli airstrikes last week and deepening fissures in a country fractured by 14 years of war. A ceasefire took hold on Sunday as interior ministry security forces deployed on Sweida's outskirts. Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Sunday the truce would allow for the release of hostages and detainees held by the sides. The fighting began a week ago, pitting Druze fighters who distrust the Islamist-led government against Sunni Muslim Bedouin. Damascus sent troops to quell the fighting, but they were drawn into the violence and accused of widespread violations against Druze. Sharaa has blamed the violence on 'outlaw groups' and promised to protect the rights of Druze - a minority group whose faith is deemed heretical by some hardline Muslims. Calling the Druze a fundamental part of Syria's national fabric, Sharaa has vowed to hold to account those who committed violations against them. Details of last week's violence are still emerging. Ali al-Huraym, a 56-year-old Bedouin man, said six members of his extended family had been killed by Druze fighters in an attack on the town of Shahba, 15 km (10 miles) north of Sweida, on Thursday. Speaking to Reuters at a school sheltering displaced Bedouin in Daraa province, he said Druze elders had assured them they would be safe in Shahba, but the attacking Druze faction had ignored their instructions. He accused the Druze faction of trying to drive Sunni tribes from the area, without identifying it.

Nine terrorists killed, eight arrested in Malakand
Nine terrorists killed, eight arrested in Malakand

Business Recorder

time20 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Nine terrorists killed, eight arrested in Malakand

ISLAMABAD: In a major counter-terrorism success, Pakistani security forces, in coordination with Police, Levies, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), and District Administration, conducted a four-day joint intelligence-based operation in Malakand District, targeting elements of the Indian-backed proxy group Fitna al Khwarij. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the operation, which took place from 16 to 20 July, resulted in the elimination of nine Indian-sponsored terrorists, while eight others were apprehended. The forces engaged In multiple intense fire exchanges before neutralising the militants. Two hideouts used by the group were also dismantled, and a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was seized. The local population lauded the operation and expressed full support for the state's ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorism. A sanitisation operation is currently underway to ensure no remaining elements of the militant group remain in the area. The security forces and law enforcement agencies, with the backing of the nation, remain resolute in their mission to eradicate Indian-sponsored terrorism and maintain peace and stability across the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

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