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AsiaOne
3 days ago
- General
- AsiaOne
What are the fuel switches at the centre of the Air India crash probe?, Asia News
NEW DELHI - The preliminary report from investigators probing the Air India crash that killed 260 people showed that seconds after takeoff, the Boeing 787 plane's engine fuel control switches were switched off briefly, starving them of fuel. Below are a few facts about the switches, their functions in the aircraft and their movements on the Air India flight. What are fuel switches? They are switches that regulate fuel flow into a plane's engines. They are used by pilots to start or shut down engines on the ground or to manually shut down or restart engines if an engine failure occurs during a flight. Aviation experts say a pilot would not be able to accidentally move the fuel switches that feed the engines. But if moved, the effect would be immediate, cutting off engine power. There are independent power systems and wiring for the fuel cutoff switches and the fuel valves controlled by those switches, according to US aviation safety expert John Cox. Where are the fuel switches located? The two fuel control switches on a 787, in Air India's case equipped with two GE engines, are located below the thrust levers. The switches are spring-loaded to remain in position. To change one from run to cutoff, a pilot has to first pull the switch up and then move it from run to cutoff or vice versa. There are two modes: "CUTOFF" and "RUN". What happened on the fatal Air India flight? According to the flight recorder, a few seconds after takeoff, switches for both engines transitioned to "CUTOFF" from "RUN" one after another with a time gap of one second. As a result, the engines began to lose power. One pilot was heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel. "The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report said. It did not identify which remarks were made by the flight's captain and which by the first officer. Seconds later, the switches flipped back to "RUN", according to the preliminary report. Both fuel control switches were found in the "RUN" position at the crash site, it said. When fuel control switches are moved from "CUTOFF" to "RUN" while the aircraft is in flight, each engine's control system automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction, the report said. "No sane pilot would ever turn those switches off in flight," especially as the plane is just starting to climb, US aviation safety expert John Nance said. [[nid:719732]]
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Air India crash report: Fuel switches 'cut off' mid-air - What they are and why it matters
A preliminary report from investigators looking into the Air India crash that killed over 250 people has revealed that both engines on the Boeing 787 lost power just seconds after takeoff, when their fuel control switches were briefly turned to the 'CUTOFF' position, cutting off the fuel supply. Here are key facts about these switches, their role on the aircraft, and what investigators found in this case: What are fuel control switches? Fuel control switches regulate the flow of fuel into a plane's engines. Pilots use them to start or shut down engines while on the ground, and to manually shut down or restart an engine in case of a failure during flight. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. Undo Aviation experts told Reuters that these switches are designed in a way that they cannot be moved accidentally. However, if they are moved, the effect is immediate, cutting power to the engine. According to U.S. aviation safety expert John Cox, the switches and the fuel valves they control have separate power systems and wiring. Live Events Also Read: Air India plane crash report out; Both engines 'cut off' mid-air '01 second apart' Where are they located on a Boeing 787? On the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, such as the one flown by Air India, equipped with two GE engines, the fuel control switches are located just below the thrust levers. These switches are spring-loaded to stay in their set position. To move them from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' or vice versa, a pilot must pull the switch up before making the change. The two switch modes are clearly marked: 'RUN' and 'CUTOFF'. Also Read: Air India crash probe tracks engine switch movement; no immediate action for Boeing or GE Aerospace What happened on the ill-fated flight? According to data from the flight recorder, both engine switches shifted from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' shortly after takeoff—one after the other, with a one-second gap. This caused the engines to begin losing power. The cockpit voice recorder captured one pilot asking the other, 'Why did you cut off the fuel?' The response was, 'I didn't do so,' according to the preliminary report. The report does not specify whether the remarks were made by the captain or the first officer. Seconds later, both switches returned to the 'RUN' position. At the crash site, investigators found both fuel control switches in the 'RUN' mode. The report adds that when these switches are moved back to 'RUN' during flight, the engine's control system initiates an automatic sequence to relight and restore thrust, by managing ignition and reintroducing fuel. 'No sane pilot would ever turn those switches off in flight,' said U.S. aviation safety expert John Nance told Reuters, noting that doing so just after takeoff would be especially unthinkable. With inputs from Reuters
News18
4 days ago
- General
- News18
What Are Fuel Cutoff Switches At The Centre Of Air India Crash Probe? Explained
The two fuel control switches on a 787, in Air India's case equipped with two GE engines, are located below the thrust levers. The preliminary report from investigators probing the Air India crash that killed 260 people showed that seconds after takeoff, the Boeing 787 plane's engine fuel control switches were switched off briefly, starving them of fuel. Below are a few facts about the switches, their functions in the aircraft and their movements on the Air India flight. WHAT ARE FUEL SWITCHES? They are switches that regulate fuel flow into a plane's engines. They are used by pilots to start or shut down engines on the ground or to manually shut down or restart engines if an engine failure occurs during a flight. Aviation experts say a pilot would not be able to accidentally move the fuel switches that feed the engines. But if moved, the effect would be immediate, cutting off engine power. There are independent power systems and wiring for the fuel cutoff switches and the fuel valves controlled by those switches, according to U.S. aviation safety expert John Cox. WHERE ARE THE FUEL SWITCHES LOCATED? The two fuel control switches on a 787, in Air India's case equipped with two GE engines, are located below the thrust levers. The switches are spring-loaded to remain in position. To change one from run to cutoff, a pilot has to first pull the switch up and then move it from run to cutoff or vice versa. There are two modes: 'CUTOFF' and 'RUN'. According to the flight recorder, a few seconds after takeoff, switches for both engines transitioned to 'CUTOFF' from 'RUN' one after another with a time gap of one second. As a result, the engines began to lose power. One pilot was heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel. "The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report said. It did not identify which remarks were made by the flight's captain and which by the first officer. Seconds later, the switches flipped back to 'RUN', according to the preliminary report. Both fuel control switches were found in the 'RUN' position at the crash site, it said. When fuel control switches are moved from 'CUTOFF' to 'RUN' while the aircraft is in flight, each engine's control system automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction, the report said. "No sane pilot would ever turn those switches off in flight," especially as the plane is just starting to climb, U.S. aviation safety expert John Nance said. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
Explainer: What are the fuel switches at the centre of AI 171 crash probe?
Flight data shows both engine switches moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' seconds after takeoff, one after the other within a second, causing both engines to lose power Reuters NEW DELHI The preliminary report from investigators probing the Air India crash that killed 260 people showed that seconds after takeoff, the Boeing 787 plane's engine fuel control switches were switched off briefly, starving them of fuel. Below are a few facts about the switches, their functions in the aircraft and their movements on the Air India flight. What are fuel switches? They are switches that regulate fuel flow into a plane's engines. They are used by pilots to start or shut down engines on the ground or to manually shut down or restart engines if an engine failure occurs during a flight. Aviation experts say a pilot would not be able to accidentally move the fuel switches that feed the engines. But if moved, the effect would be immediate, cutting off engine power. There are independent power systems and wiring for the fuel cutoff switches and the fuel valves controlled by those switches, according to US aviation safety expert John Cox. Where are the fuel switches located? The two fuel control switches on a 787, in Air India's case equipped with two GE engines, are located below the thrust levers. The switches are spring-loaded to remain in position. To change one from run to cutoff, a pilot has to first pull the switch up and then move it from run to cutoff or vice versa. There are two modes: 'CUTOFF' and 'RUN'. What happened on the fatal Air India flight? According to the flight recorder, a few seconds after takeoff, switches for both engines transitioned to 'CUTOFF' from 'RUN' one after another with a time gap of one second. As a result, the engines began to lose power. One pilot was heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel. "The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report said. It did not identify which remarks were made by the flight's captain and which by the first officer. Seconds later, the switches flipped back to 'RUN', according to the preliminary report. Both fuel control switches were found in the 'RUN' position at the crash site, it said. When fuel control switches are moved from 'CUTOFF' to 'RUN' while the aircraft is in flight, each engine's control system automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction, the report said. "No sane pilot would ever turn those switches off in flight," especially as the plane is just starting to climb, US aviation safety expert John Nance 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.)
NDTV
4 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Explainer: What Are Fuel Switches At Centre Of Air India Crash Probe
Ahmedabad: The preliminary report from investigators probing the Air India crash that killed 260 people showed that seconds after takeoff, the Boeing 787 plane's engine fuel control switches were switched off briefly, starving them of fuel. Below are a few facts about the switches, their functions in the aircraft and their movements on the Air India flight. WHAT ARE FUEL SWITCHES? They are switches that regulate fuel flow into a plane's engines. They are used by pilots to start or shut down engines on the ground or to manually shut down or restart engines if an engine failure occurs during a flight. Aviation experts say a pilot would not be able to accidentally move the fuel switches that feed the engines. But if moved, the effect would be immediate, cutting off engine power. There are independent power systems and wiring for the fuel cutoff switches and the fuel valves controlled by those switches, according to U.S. aviation safety expert John Cox. WHERE ARE THE FUEL SWITCHES LOCATED? The two fuel control switches on a 787, in Air India's case equipped with two GE engines, are located below the thrust levers. The switches are spring-loaded to remain in position. To change one from run to cutoff, a pilot has to first pull the switch up and then move it from run to cutoff or vice versa. There are two modes: 'CUTOFF' and 'RUN'. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE FATAL AIR INDIA FLIGHT? According to the flight recorder, a few seconds after takeoff, switches for both engines transitioned to 'CUTOFF' from 'RUN' one after another with a time gap of one second. As a result, the engines began to lose power. One pilot was heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel. "The other pilot responded that he did not do so," the report said. It did not identify which remarks were made by the flight's captain and which by the first officer. Seconds later, the switches flipped back to 'RUN', according to the preliminary report. Both fuel control switches were found in the 'RUN' position at the crash site, it said. When fuel control switches are moved from 'CUTOFF' to 'RUN' while the aircraft is in flight, each engine's control system automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction, the report said. "No sane pilot would ever turn those switches off in flight," especially as the plane is just starting to climb, U.S. aviation safety expert John Nance said.
