Latest news with #DavidSoucie
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First Post
12-07-2025
- General
- First Post
What happened with Air India plane in Ahmedabad? Crash probe report answers few questions, raises more
AAIB's preliminary report on Air India plane crash has turned out to be the tip of the iceberg. While it answers a few questions, it raises many, leaving people wanting to know more read more While the preliminary Air India plane crash report mentioned that the fuel cutoff to both engines led to the crash of Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, it has opened a can of other unanswered questions. The 15-page report covers the 98 seconds from the plane's takeoff to its devastating crash in Ahmedabad, which ultimately killed over 260 people. The findings released by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that switches in the cockpit that controlled fuel moved to a 'cutoff' position, leading to the fatal crash. '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.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hence, the engine fuel cut-off was determined as the technical cause of the crash. However, there is more to the story. Transitioning the switches from 'Run' to 'Cut-off' is not an easy task. The audio retrieved from the aircraft's black box also raised more questions about what was happening inside the cockpit at the time of the crash. Along with this, AAIB's conclusion of 'not recommending' any actions to Boeing and GE at this stage of the investigation raises speculations on the responsibility of both companies. Here's a look at some of the key questions Air India report remained unanswered: The unanswered questions How did the switches transition from 'Run' to 'Cutoff' One of the key aspects of the report was the transition of the engine fuel switch from 'Run' to 'Cutoff'. The switches transitioned one after another with a time gap of just 1 second. As a result, the Engine N1 and N2 began to decrease from their take-off values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off. However, it is not an easy task to transition the switch to the off position due to the aircraft's design. On the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the two fuel cutoff switches sit between the pilots' seats, right behind the throttle levers. These switches are flanked by a metal bar and have a lock to prevent them from accidentally transitioning. Hence, the switches are 'designed to be moved intentionally,' to avoid such accidents. While speaking to CNN, aviation safety expert, David Soucie, said: 'Throughout the years, those switches have been improved to make sure that they cannot be accidentally moved and that they're not automatic. They don't move themselves in any manner." As per the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder, the E1 fuel cut-off switch was transitioned back to 'Run', and the same was done to the E2 cut-off switch. This resulted in a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction. Engine 1 started the core recovery, but Engine 2 could not arrest the core speed after fuel re-introduction. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While the report detailed the transition of the switches, it doesn't mention who or how these switches were transitioned from Run to Cut-off in the first place. The cockpit audio recording makes things more complicated. Was it a pilot error or another form of negligence? Who said what? As per the AAIB report, the cockpit voice recording captures one of the pilots asking the other, 'Why did he cut off?'. The other pilot responded that 'he did not do so'. Now the two pilots inside the cockpit were Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, who had a total flying experience of 15,638 hours, and Clive Kunder, 32, who had 3,403 hours of total experience. Hence, both pilots had solid flying experience. So, if the pilot did not transition the switches, then who did it? Was it a malfunction of some sort? Not only this, the report also did not mention who said what in the recording, leaving the matter unanswered. The 2018 warning Now there is another side to the story. The report noted that the FAA issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) No. NM-18-33 on December 17, 2018. The bulletin was regarding the 'potential disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature.' The SAIB was issued after the operators of Boeing Model 737 stated that the fuel control switches were installed with the locking feature disengaged. However, the concern at that time was not considered unsafe, which would have warranted an airworthiness directive (AD) by the FAA. The AAIB stated that Air India told the investigators that the suggested inspections were not carried out since the SAIB was advisory and not a mandatory directive. While the scrutiny of the maintenance records revealed that the throttle control model was replaced on VT-ANB in 2019 and 2023, the reason for the replacement was not linked to the fuel control switches. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The report maintained that there has been no defect reported about the fuel control switch since 2023. So, how did it transition, if the pilots claimed they did not do it and if there was no defect reported? Why did the engine not recover In the report, it was mentioned that the Air India pilots attempted to restart the engine after the fuel was cut off. When the engine fuel was shut off, the Ram Air Turbine - a small propeller-like device - was deployed automatically to provide emergency hydraulic power. The CCTV footage assessed by the authorities also showed the RAT being deployed. The pilots tried to restart the engine. N1 or engine 1 was partially recovered, but engine 2 failed to recover before impact. The aircraft was airborne for only 32 seconds - crashed 0.9 NM from the runway into a hostel of a medical college. While the thrust levers were found at idle, the black box shows that takeoff thrust was still engaged, suggesting a disconnect/failure. The second engine was mentioned not to arrest the reintroduction of fuel, which still raises questions on whether the engine had some issues. However, it is important to note that AAIB's 15-page report is just the tip of the iceberg, and further investigation would give clarity on this. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why was no action recommended for Boeing or GE? After the report, the AAIB noted that at this stage of the investigation, there are no recommended actions for B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers, meaning Boeing and GE. But is the accountability of both companies being ditched? There are still questions about how the switches of the Boeing aircraft transitioned when both pilots claimed that they didn't do it. Why did the second engine not respond to the fuel reintroduction like the first one did? Shouldn't Boeing and GE be answerable to these questions? In the past, multiple whistleblowers raised concerns about the Boeing aircraft. The American planes have also been involved in several aviation accidents recently. Hence, both the engine makers and the manufacturers of the 787 can't get off the hook. There is still a long way to go. Drawing conclusions from the preliminary report is something which is not advisable by the AAIB itself. The Indian authorities maintained that the 'document has been prepared based on the preliminary facts and evidence collected during the investigation. The information is preliminary and subject to change.' The authorities stated that as per Annexe 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Rule 3 of Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents), 2017, the sole objective of the report was to reveal what went down and not appropriating blame and liabilities on any of the parties. Similarly, MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said, 'The AAIB has brought out a preliminary report. This is not the final report. Until the final report comes out, we should not arrive at any conclusion. AAIB is an autonomous authority, and the ministry does not interfere in their work.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to India's aviation rules, a preliminary report had to be released within 30 days of the incident. However, it could be months before investigators release a full and detailed report into the causes of the crash. Until then, the aforementioned questions might remain unanswered.
Egypt Independent
12-07-2025
- General
- Egypt Independent
Engine fuel supply was cut just before Air India jet crash, preliminary report says
CNN — A cut in the fuel supply to the engines caused last month's Air India crash that killed 260 people, a preliminary report has found. The London-bound plane had barely left the runway at Ahmedabad airport when it hurtled back to earth. Everyone on board was killed, except for one passenger. According to the report by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, obtained by CNN, the fuel control switches in the cockpit of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner had been flipped, starving the engines of fuel. Investigators were able to get data out of the plane's 'black box' recorders, including 49 hours of flight data and two hours of cockpit audio, including from the crash. The aircraft had reached an airspeed of 180 knots when both engines' fuel cutoff switches were 'transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec,' according to the report. '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,' the report reads. Shortly after, the switches were reversed back to where they should have been, and the engines were in the process of powering back up when the crash happened. On the 787, the fuel cutoff switches are between the two pilots' seats, immediately behind the plane's throttle levers. They are protected on the sides by a metal bar and have a locking mechanism designed to prevent accidental cutoff. The fuel cutoff switches are seen below the throttle on a Boeing 787 in 2010. Aviation Images/UniversalAirport footage shows the Ram Air Turbine, an emergency power source on an aircraft, deployed during the plane's initial climb after takeoff, the report said. The plane started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall. 'When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN while the aircraft is inflight, each engines full authority dual engine control automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction,' the report states. Seconds after the engines attempted to relight, one pilot called out, 'MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.' The controller called out for the plane's callsign, but didn't get a response and watched the plane crash in the distance. The fuel switches were 'designed to be intentionally moved,' according to CNN safety analyst David Soucie, who said cases in which all fuel switches were turned off accidentally are 'extremely rare.' 'Throughout the years, those switches have been improved to make sure that they cannot be accidentally moved and that they're not automatic. They don't move themselves in any manner,' Soucie said on Friday. The captain of the flight was a 56-year-old who had flown more than 15,000 hours in his career. The first officer was a 32-year old man with over 3,400 flying hours. Investigators also noted settings on equipment found in the wreckage was normal for takeoff. The plane's fuel was tested and found to be of satisfactory quality, and no significant bird activity is observed in the vicinity of the flight path, according to the report. The takeoff weight for the plane was found to be within allowable limits, and there were no 'Dangerous Goods' on the aircraft. Investigators found the flaps on the wings of the plane were set in the 5-degree position, which is correct for takeoff, and the landing gear lever was in the down position. The left engine was installed on the plane on March 26 and the right was installed on May 1, the report said. Air India flight 171 took off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in India's western state of Gujarat on June 12. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was headed to London Gatwick, and scheduled to land at 6:25 p.m. local time. Air India had said 242 passengers and crew members were on board. That included 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian. In addition to those on board, a number of people on the ground were killed when the plane crashed into the BJ Medical College and Hospital hostel. The crash resulted in 260 fatalities total, according to the report. A number of the dead on the ground resulted from the plane hitting the hostel. Air India acknowledged that it received the report and said it will continue cooperating with authorities in the investigation. 'Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident,' the airline posted to X on Saturday (local time). 'We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time.' This story has been updated with additional developments.
Mint
12-07-2025
- General
- Mint
How UK, US & global media are reacting to Air India AI171 crash report
India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, which went down shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on June 12. The disaster claimed 260 lives, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 individuals on the ground. According to the report, a devastating chain of events unfolded just 90 seconds after takeoff, when both engines unexpectedly shut down during the aircraft's initial ascent, resulting in a sudden loss of thrust and a rapid descent. CNN, a US-based news channel, said, 'engine fuel supply was cut just before India jet crash.' CNN further reported on the technical aspect of the crash, quoting safety analyst David Soucie, who noted that the fuel switches were 'designed to be intentionally moved,' saying that instances where 'all fuel switches were turned off accidentally are extremely rare.' Credit: CNN. BBC echoed, "Fuel switches cut off before Air India crash that killed 260, preliminary report says," while also noting that the 'cause of the plane crash remains unsolved.' Credit: BBC. The Telegraph led with the headline, 'Air India pilot asked why fuel had been cut off moments before fatal crash.' Source: Telegraph. The New York Times provided a deeper analysis of the report's findings, including procedural errors, cockpit communication, and systemic safety questions. The headline reads, 'Fuel to Air India plane was cut off before crash.' However, the paper noted that the full picture is still emerging. Source: New York Times. The Financial Times said, 'Fuel to Air India 171's engines was cut off seconds before fatal crash.' Source: Financial Times. The Guardian took a similar angle with its headline: 'Engine fuel switches cut off before Air India crash that killed 260, preliminary report finds.' Source: The Guardian. Al Jazeera reported that 'Fuel control switches to the engines of an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff last month were moved from the 'run' to the 'cutoff' position moments before impact,' citing details from the preliminary report. Source: Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera also pointed out a key gap in the investigation, noting that "the preliminary report does not say how the switch could have flipped to the cutoff position" on the London-bound flight departing from Ahmedabad. Metro, the British freesheet tabloid, placed responsibility on the cockpit crew with the headline: 'Air India plane crash investigation focuses on 'mistake' made by pilots.' Credit: Metro. The outlet also noted, 'The airline (Air India) has in recent times worked to turn around its operations after decades under state ownership. The Dreamliner is used on international, long-haul routes and has an excellent safety record until the Air India crash. It comes at a time when Boeing is trying to recover from a string of safety and quality problems.' The AAIB team, in coordination with investigators from the NTSB (USA), Boeing, GE, FAA, and safety agencies from the UK, Portugal, and Canada (whose citizens were among the victims), is continuing detailed analysis of cockpit recordings, engine components, maintenance records, and pilot actions. At this stage of the investigation, the report reads "there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers."
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First Post
12-07-2025
- General
- First Post
Air India Plane Crash Report: Fuel switch in focus; it's 'designed to be intentionally moved,' report cites expert
On the 787, the fuel cutoff switches sit between the pilots' seats, right behind the throttle levers. They're flanked by a metal bar and have a lock to prevent accidental toggling. read more India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday (July 12) released a 15-page preliminary report on the tragic crash of AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London from Ahmedabad. The report covers the 98 seconds from the plane's takeoff roll to its crash just beyond the airport's boundary wall, which killed 241 of the 242 people on board, leaving only one survivor. According to the report, the fuel control switches in the cockpit were flipped, cutting off fuel to the engines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The report said the aircraft had reached the speed of 180 knots when both engines' fuel cutoff switches were 'transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec.' '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,' the report reads. Investigators accessed critical data from the plane's 'black box' recorders, including 49 hours of flight data and two hours of cockpit audio from the crash. The switches were later flipped back to their correct position, and the engines were starting to power up again when the plane went down. Possibility of accidental cutoff extremely unlikely On the 787, these fuel cutoff switches sit between the pilots' seats, right behind the throttle levers. They're flanked by a metal bar and have a lock to prevent accidental toggling. CNN quoted safety analyst David Soucie as saying that these fuel switches are 'designed to be intentionally moved.' 'Throughout the years, those switches have been improved to make sure that they cannot be accidentally moved and that they're not automatic. They don't move themselves in any manner,' Soucie said. Airport footage also showed the Ram Air Turbine, an emergency power system, deploying during the plane's initial climb. The aircraft began losing altitude before it crossed the airport's perimeter wall and crashed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Meanwhile, Air India has acknowledged that it received the report and said it will continue cooperating with authorities in the investigation. 'Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident,' the airline posted on X. 'We continue to mourn the loss and are fully committed to providing support during this difficult time.'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why 80 people likely survived ‘miracle' plane crash
A Delta Airlines plane landed overturned on a snow-blanketed runway at Toronto Pearson Airport and miraculously no one was killed in the aviation accident. Delta Flight 4819, operated by Endeavor Air, flying from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport touched down upside-down in Toronto at around 2.15 p.m. Monday. The aircraft was flying in the wake of a snowstorm and amid wind gusts that whipped at more than 40 mph. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the crash-landing where all 80 people on board — 76 passengers and four crew members — survived. The airline said Tuesday morning that 19 of the 21 people taken to the hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries have been released. 'When I saw the first horrifying image of the Delta Airlines jet, overturned on the runway at Toronto, I feared there would be a heavy loss of life. Remarkably, everyone escaped alive from the plane,' said Simon Calder, The Independent's travel expert. 'Just like the last emergency evacuation at Toronto two decades ago, of an Air France plane, the cabin crew's professionalism and training shone through and saved lives.' Experts say different factors could have saved the passengers in the harrowing incident. Footage of the overturned plane seemed to show damage to one of the wings but the fuselage appeared to remain intact. David Soucie, a former safety inspector at the FAA and current CNN safety analyst, discussed the importance of the 'breakaway bolts on the wings.' 'It's testament to the fact that the engineering that goes behind these airplanes, you notice that both of the wings are off of the airplane right now. And that's by design,' he said on CNN Tuesday. 'They have breakaway explosive bolts that hold those wings on so that if the aircraft does go sideways, and it does hit the wing, if that wing was too stiff, it would tear the fuselage apart and dislodge the seats and damage the fuselage. But it's designed to allow that when it's a huge impact on the wing to strip those wings off. And then that aircraft can continue to move and come to rest safely,' Soucie said. Greg Feith, a former air safety investigator at the National Transportation Safety Board, told The Hill that shedding both the wings was a 'good thing.' 'That usually takes up a lot of the major impact forces. And because the tube, the fuselage tube, stayed intact, that's what enhanced the survivability for all these people, even though there was a small fire that did break out,' he said. "The sheer survivability of this is really amazing," Dan Ronan, a licensed pilot and journalist, told the BBC. He also noted the CRJ-900 plane's seats, describing them as "designed to absorb a great deal of punishment." Former NTSB official Peter Goetz also praised the plane's seats, telling CNN on Tuesday: 'Some 20 years ago, the Safety Board made a recommendation that all commercial air carriers have seats that can resist precisely this kind of accident, that they stay in place, that people are not ejected, that the seats are not ejected.' 'And time and time again, these 16G seats have saved lives. And I think we'll see again, as the analysis unfolds on this accident, that the 16G seats have saved lives once again,' Goetz continued. Graham Braithwaite, director of aerospace and aviation at Cranfield University in the U.K., praised the engineering of the aircraft and the speediness of the flight crew to jump into action. He told the Washington Post: 'The fact that there were no fatalities with an aircraft left upside down on a runway tells you a lot about how the restraints worked, how the aircraft design worked, how the rescue teams responded and how the cabin crew played their role.' Braithwaithe also emphasized how the cabin crew 'put their lives on the line — they're the last people off the airplane, and I think sometimes we forget that.' He said: 'They serve us drink and food, and that's wonderful, but their real function is to keep you safe.'
