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Sky News AU
14-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Gladstone hydrogen project axed: Chris Bowen's green energy fantasy continues slow sink into the abyss as $12.5 billion plant gets reality check
The energy policy debate in Australia is becoming increasingly difficult to watch. Partly because we're witnessing the political class cheerfully drive our economy into the ground and our living standards off a cliff, and partly because the narrative has become so absurd it's hard to keep a straight face. I firmly believe Australia needs cheap reliable power, and to the extent we can reduce emissions without imperilling our living standards and economy, we should absolutely do so. But the 'lowering emissions' cart must be firmly behind the 'living standards' horse. Our energy mix should – and will - vary across the country depending on available energy sources; that's why we need to be agnostic about source but laser-focussed on affordability. The recent politicisation of energy policy has flipped those two priorities. Retail cost concerns are being papered over by doling out electricity rebates. In fact, in recent years, the taxpayer has subsidised energy infrastructure projects, wholesale prices and retail prices. Quite literally, you couldn't stuff it up more if you tried. In 2022, Resources Minister Madeleine King warned that making gas too cheap would divert investment from renewables. A year later, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen declared that those advocating for a gas-fired recovery were 'lying', insisting Labor was on a 'rapid path to renewable energy'. And to help achieve that, Queensland forests are being bulldozed for wind farms in the name of saving the planet - an irony beyond parody. Labor has since realised that the nation will grind to a halt without gas, and their policy U-turn has been as shameless as it was swift. But my favourite part of the renewables fanaticism is the cult of green hydrogen; a modern-day pursuit of alchemy funded by the taxpayer. Last week, the $12.5 billion Gladstone hydrogen project bit the dust, slain in broad daylight by the laws of thermodynamics and the stark reality of the cold hard numbers. It's a fabulous opportunity to reflect on one of the most lavishly funded, science-free boondoggles in Australian political history. An estimated $117 million of federal, state and private funding spent on a feasibility study. All that money – so much of it torched on consultant fees and a fancy driveway. And why did it fail? Because the science and economics just didn't stack up, no matter how fervently its adherents believed in the ideal. Ironically, the same crowd that whimsically dismissed nuclear power – a proven, emissions free source in use or in the pipeline for 19 of the G-20 countries – championed green hydrogen. The Gladstone is just one of many examples of hydrogen projects not quite panning out despite being slathered in subsidies. In 2023, ATCO scrapped its green hydrogen projects after soaking up over $103 million in grants. Earlier this year, Trafigura abandoned its South Australian project after burning through $2.5 million in state government subsidies. In October 2024, Orica and Origin Energy pulled the plug on their Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub despite being shortlisted for $2 billion in federal funding. And if that wasn't shameful enough, in March this year, the Australian reported that 99 per cent of the announced hydrogen capacity hadn't progressed beyond concept stage. You'd think that would dampen enthusiasm. But no – earlier this month, Mr Bowen pledged $432 million to revive the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub promising 'long-term, high-quality jobs for the region, while decarbonising industries that are vital to our economy'. If the project wasn't viable nine months ago, what could possibly have changed? It feels like the intersection of energy policy and 'Weekend at Bernie's'. A year ago, the Centre of Independent Studies published a report which found that over the past decade the Federal Government had handed out more than $29 billion in subsidies to the renewables sector. While some of that money may have been worthwhile, the sheer number of projects that never made it past pre-feasibility suggest either the government is hopeless at picking winners or is easily duped by anyone in a Panama hat spruiking a monorail. Last week, energy expert, Aiden Morrison, pertinently noted in a Post on X: ''Private investors' in offshore wind weren't idiots who failed to notice that it doesn't stack up.' Instead he said they were 'smart guys who will happily get paid to polish a turd they can walk away from'. Taxpayers lose and the grifters win. Meanwhile, everyday Australians are unable to pay their electricity bills, and our manufacturing sector continues to shrink due to unreliable, unaffordable power. Also last week, David Marriner, the CEO of Boyer Paper Mill – the last paper mill in Australia - warned it may close, costing 340 jobs due to power shortages. We can't even produce enough energy to make paper, and this federal Labor government wants Australia to be a renewable energy superpower! Laughable. When will our political class reacquaint itself with reality and return to an energy policy grounded in the fundamentals of a strong Australian future – one that prioritises for Australians above all else? Caroline Di Russo is a lawyer with 15 years of experience specialising in commercial litigation and corporate insolvency and since February 2023 has been the Liberal Party President in Western Australia
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Air India crash mystery in full - medical record probe to chilling fuel theory
A preliminary report into the tragic Air India 171 crash that killed 260 people has sparked fury from grieving families and pilots alike, as it raises more questions than it does answers Families grieving the victims of the Air India plane crash have been left with more questions than answers after the official investigation into the disaster sparked a furious backlash. The preliminary report from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, published on Friday, found that both fuel cutoff switches were flipped shortly after takeoff, shutting down the jet's engines. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a crowded neighbourhood just minutes after it took off from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, exploding into a fireball and killing 241 passengers, as well as 19 people on the ground. Only one man - British-Indian passenger Vishwashkumar Ramesh - survived the horror. While the report doesn't place blame the pilots for the disaster, aviation experts have pointed out that flipping the fuel cutoff switch has to be done manually. But unfounded speculation swirling online about a potential pilot suicide has sparked anger from one pilot association who insist the crew acted in line with their training should not be vilified. Those mourning the loss of loved ones killed in the crash last month have also slammed the report, stating they are still yet to find closure as the mystery around the exact cause continues to deepen. Now, as a probe is launched to look at one of the pilot's medical records and the CEO or Air India speaks out, we look at the unanswered questions in one of the worst aviation disasters in history. Chilling cockpit audio The preliminary report into the disaster revealed the chilling conversation had in the cockpit just moments before the plane crashed and erupted into flames. It sheds light on the moment one of the pilots realised that the fuel cutoff switches had been flipped, leaving the airline with no engine power. Revealing a panicked exchange, the report said: "In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so." "At about 08:09:05 UTC, one of the pilots transmitted "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY". The ATCO enquired about the call sign. ATCO did not get any response but observed the aircraft crashing outside the airport boundary and activated the emergency response." Fuel switch mystery Aviation experts have been quick to react to the report's findings that the fuel cutoff switches were seemingly flipped, with one claiming that the crew were "absolutely" the cause. Captain Mohan Ranganthan, one of India's key aviation experts, has suggested this potential cause could have been deliberate. Ranganthan, speaking to NDTV, said: "It has to be done manually, it cannot be done automatically or due to a power failure." These fuel switches have to be operated by pulling each lever upwards to unlock them before being flipped. These switches also have a protective guard bracket to protect them from accidental nudges or bumps. At the time the plane went down, one engine was regaining thrust while the other had relit but had not yet recovered power. Ranganthan added: "The fuel selectors they aren't the sliding type they are always in a slot. They are to pull them out or move them up or down, so the question of them moving inadvertently out of off position doesn't happen. It's a case of deliberate manual selection." He then claimed "nothing else" could have caused that possible explanation, adding: "It had to be deliberately done." Those investigating the crash say that the fuel switchers, which are level-locked, are designed to prevent accidental activation. "It would be almost impossible to pull both switches with a single movement of one hand, and this makes accidental deployment unlikely," an unnamed Canada-based air accidents investigator, told the BBC. Indian pilots slam 'disturbing' claims A group of Indian pilots have issued a furious statement in response to the report and the speculation it has sparked online. Defending the actions of the Air India crew, The Indian Commercial Pilots' Association (ICPA) say that staff "acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions and the pilots shouldn't be vilified based on conjecture". "To casually suggest pilot suicide without verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession," it fumed. The preliminary investigation does not offer any clarity on how the switches were moved before the crash, but social media users and some experts have been quick to speculate about the role of the pilots. "We are deeply disturbed by speculative narratives emerging in sections of the media and public discourse - particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide," the pilot association said. "Let us be unequivocally clear: there is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage, and invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible - it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved." Troubling warning six years before crash It has also been claimed that Air India was warned about wrongly installed fuel switches more than six years before the terrifying disaster. The preliminary report into the crash said in December 2018, the US air regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned airlines that fuel switches had been installed in some Boeing 737s "with the locking feature disengaged". "If the locking feature is disengaged, the switch can be moved between the two positions without lifting the switch during transition, and the switch would be exposed to the potential of inadvertent operation," the FAA warned in a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin. "Inadvertent operation of the switch could result in an unintended consequence, such as an in-flight engine shutdown." It recommended airlines inspect the switches, including "whether the fuel control switch can be moved between the two positions without lifting up the switch". Air India suggested such inspections were not carried out because the FAA's bulletin was "advisory and not mandatory", according to the report. The AAIB report says the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models including part number 4TL837-3D fitted in the 787-8 Dreamliner, the model that crashed in Ahmedabad. Switches are 'safe' As the preliminary report continues to rattle the industry, the US aviation regulator has been forced to step in and clarify that the fuel control switches in Boeing planes are safe. In response to Air India having been warned about wrongly installed switches six years ago, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) noted that its own 2018 advisory "was based on reports that the fuel control switches were installed with the locking feature disengaged" - but it stated that it does not believe this makes the planes unsafe. "Although the fuel control switch design, including the locking feature, is similar on various Boeing airplane models, the FAA does not consider this issue to be an unsafe condition that would warrant an Airworthiness Directive on any Boeing airplane models, including the Model 787," said the authority, according to a note seen by the BBC. "The FAA will continue to share relevant information with foreign civil aviation authorities as appropriate." Medical records probe It emerged today that the medical records of one of the pilots of the doomed Air India plane are being examined after it has been claimed he suffered from poor mental health. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was piloting the Boeing 787 Dreamliner when it crashed and aviation expert Captain Ranganathan has suggested that 'several' other pilots had allegedly claimed that he had suffered from poor mental health. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he claimed: "He had taken time off from flying in the last three to four years. He had taken medical leave for that." The publication said that while Air India declined to comment, an official working with their parent company, Tata Group, said that Captain Sabharwal had not taken any medical leave, with the preliminary report failing to obtain any significant findings. They added that within the last two years, both pilots onboard the flight had passed the Class I medical exam, which makes an evaluation of their psycho-physical capabilities. Air India CEO speaks out In a bid to ease growing concerns, the CEO of Air India Campbell Wilson has clarified that the preliminary report into the disaster found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the plane or its engines. An internal memo shows Mr Wilson explaining that the airline's whole 787 fleet had been inspected immediately after the crash and all planes were deemed fit for service, the Independent reports. He also stated that the pilots had passed their mandatory pre-flight breathalyser test and there were no observations regarding their medical status. Mr Wilson added that the investigation was "far from over". Grieving families desperate for truth Families of the Air India crash victims have slated the 'vague' initial investigation as they demand more clarity on the exact cause of the disaster. A relative of Dhir and Heer Baxi, who were travelling home to London after surprising their grandmother for her birthday when they died in the crash, said he was not satisfied by the report's findings. Ishan Baxi, the cousin of the two victims, said: "We're still hoping for a more transparent and honest investigation that doesn't shy away from addressing possible mechanical flaws or lapses in protocol to avoid future potential accidents. "I just hope the final report brings full clarity on what exactly failed and who's accountable. It shouldn't hide behind vague terms." And the loved ones grieving a family of three who died in the crash - Akeel Nanabawa, his wife, Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter, Sara Nanabawa - issued a statement. "Moving forwards, we require honesty, transparency and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the full truth," they said. "We seek justice and answers, both of which are essential for us to find any sense of closure. We accept God's fate, but knowing what happened will help ease our hearts and allow us to begin the long journey of healing. 'Above all, we hope that by pursuing the truth, no other family will ever have to endure the shock, uncertainty, and profound sorrow that we have lived through this past month."
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Air India crew 'absolutely' cause of horror crash that killed 260, claims expert
An aviation expert has claimed the pilots of the doomed Air India Flight 171 could have 'absolutely' been behind the tragic crash that killed 260 people last month Fresh pieces of evidence about the tragic Air India crash that killed 241 passengers has led to an aviation expert claiming the crew were "absolutely" to blame for the air disaster. India's Aircraft Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) released its preliminary report into the tragedy which suggested the fuel switches to the engine were reportedly cut off prior to the tragic air disaster. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a residential area just minutes after it took off from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, killing another 19 people on the ground. Questions have been raised into the finding that fuel cutoff switches were supposedly flipped just as the plane was believed to have lost power. One of India's key aviation experts, Captain Mohan Ranganthan, has since suggested this potential cause could have been deliberate. Ranganthan, speaking to NDTV, said: "It has to be done manually, it cannot be done automatically or due to a power failure." These fuel switches reportedly have to be operated by pulling each lever upwards to unlock them before being flipped. These switches also have a protective guard bracket to protect them from accidental nudges or bumps. Ranganthan added: "The fuel selectors they aren't the sliding type they are always in a slot. They are to pull them out or move them up or down, so the question of them moving inadvertently out of off position doesn't happen. It's a case of deliberate manual selection." He then claimed "nothing else" could have caused that possible explanation, adding: "It had to be deliberately done." The captain continued his claims after being asked whether he thought one of the pilots could have "deliberately" turned the fuel switches off while being aware it could have led to a crash. Ranganthan responded and said: "Absolutely." The captain then claimed they were looking at the possibility the disaster was a "pilot-induced crash". This preliminary report also revealed the chilling conversation had in the cockpit just moments before the tragedy. Revealing a panicked exchange between the pilots as they realised the engines were off, the report said: "In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so. "At about 08:09:05 UTC, one of the pilots transmitted "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY". The ATCO enquired about the call sign. ATCO did not get any response but observed the aircraft crashing outside the airport boundary and activated the emergency response." This report also confirmed there was no significant bird activity around the aircraft at the time and all crew members had been breathalysed on their arrival at Ahmedabad airport, and found they were "fit to operate the flight". Both engines were retrieved from the wreckage and quarantined at a hangar in the nearby airport. Investigators have identified "components of interest for further examinations", the report says. An Air India spokesman said: "Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time." The spokesman added: "Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully co-operate with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and other authorities as their investigation progresses. Given the active nature of the investigation, we are unable to comment on specific details and refer all such inquiries to the AAIB."
Economic Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Economic Times
Black box data tells all about deadly flight Air India 171: Full sequence of events that ended in a tragic crash
Flight AI423 crashed shortly after takeoff due to a dual engine failure triggered by the fuel cutoff switches being inexplicably moved to the CUTOFF position. Despite attempts to relight the engines, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed outside the airport perimeter after a MAYDAY call went unanswered. Initial checks showed no issues with fuel, weight, or pilot fitness. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Flight AI423 had a Pilot Defect Report (PDR) entry for a status message: 'STAB POS XDCR' in the tech log. Troubleshooting was carried out, and the aircraft was released for flight. The pilots had adequate rest, underwent pre-flight breath analyser tests, and were found fit to operate the flight. Fuel on board was 54,200 kg, and the takeoff weight was 213,401 kg, which was within the maximum allowed limit of 218,183 kg. No dangerous goods were onboard the aircraft. The aircraft began its takeoff roll at 08:07:37. The air/ground sensors transitioned to 'air mode,' consistent with liftoff at 08:08:39. The aircraft achieved a maximum recorded airspeed of 180 knots IAS at approximately 08:08:42. Immediately after, Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches were moved from RUN to CUTOFF positions, one after another, with a one-second gap. As fuel supply to the engines was cut off, both N1 and N2 values began to decrease from their takeoff values. In the cockpit voice recording, one pilot is heard asking the other, 'Why did you cut off?' The other pilot responded that he did not. CCTV footage from the airport showed the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deploying during the initial climb, immediately after liftoff. No significant bird activity was observed near the flight path. The aircraft began to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall. According to EAFR data, both engines' N2 values dropped below the minimum idle speed, and the RAT hydraulic pump began supplying power at around 08:08:47. At approximately 08:08:52, Engine 1's fuel cutoff switch transitioned back from CUTOFF to RUN. At 08:08:56, Engine 2's fuel cutoff switch also transitioned from CUTOFF to RUN. When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN during flight, the Full Authority Dual Engine Control (FADEC) system automatically initiates a relight and thrust recovery sequence, including ignition and fuel reintroduction. Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) began rising for both engines, indicating relight. Engine 1's core deceleration stopped, reversed, and began recovering. Engine 2 managed to relight but could not stop the core speed deceleration. It kept reintroducing fuel in attempts to increase acceleration and achieve recovery. The EAFR recording stopped at 08:09:11. At around 08:09:05 UTC, one of the pilots transmitted: 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.' Air Traffic Control (ATCO) asked for the call sign but received no response. ATCO then observed the aircraft crash outside the airport boundary and immediately activated the emergency response. On June 12, tragedy struck as Air India Flight 171 crashed just moments after takeoff, despite no signs of mechanical issues or external threats like bird strikes. In a shocking chain of events, both engines shut down mid-air, cockpit confusion unfolded, and a desperate Mayday call went unanswered.A detailed sequence reconstructed from technical logs, cockpit voice recordings, and CCTV footage now reveals the terrifying final moments of the flight, offering a chilling look into what caused the deadly is the minute-by-minute breakdown of what exactly happened from takeoff to is the sequence of events leading to the deadly crash on June 12:
Daily Record
12-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Air India crash report reveals chilling exchange between pilots
One of the pilots transmitted 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY' before plane crashed into a building killing hundreds A chilling conversation in the cockpit between two pilots moments before the Air India crash has been revealed in a new report. India's Aircraft Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) released its initial report last night, a month after the tragedy in Ahmedabad that left 242 people on the flight dead and another 29 on the ground. Recovered black box data confirmed the aircraft began its rapid descent within a minute of departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, causing it to crash into a building housing doctors at the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital. Investigators now believe switches controlling the fuel supply to both engines were mistakenly turned off shortly after take-off, causing both engines to lose power and triggering the devastating crash. The report states: 'In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so. 'At about 08:09:05 UTC, one of the pilots transmitted 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY'. The ATCO enquired about the call sign. ATCO did not get any response but observed the aircraft crashing outside the airport boundary and activated the emergency response.' The Mirror reports that the preliminary findings primarily focus on the new detail that switches had been turned off after take-off, resulting in an apparent loss of thrust after reaching only 625 feet. The AAIB's preliminary findings also confirmed there was 'no bird activity' around Ahmedabad at the time of the accident, ruling out the theory of a bird strike to both engines. It reads: 'No significant bird activity is observed in the vicinity of the flight path. The aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall.' Describing the damage to the Boeing 747 Dreamliner and the buildings on the ground, the report concludes: 'The Aircraft was destroyed due to impact with the buildings on the ground and subsequent fire. A total of five buildings were impacted and suffered major structural and fire damages. '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 the first building. 'As the aircraft moved forward, it continued fragmenting and collided with other structures and vegetation. The impact witness marks on the building and airplane indicated a likely nose-up attitude (about 8°) and wings level.' British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, was the only passenger to survive the crash, miraculously managing to walk away from the wreckage despite his injuries. He has since given a statement to investigators, the conclusion of the report states. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
