Why Did Fuel Stop Flowing To The Air India Jet? New American Report Raises Alarming Questions

New Delhi: A new twist has emerged in the investigation of the Air India plane crash that took place last year in Ahmedabad. Reports by US agencies and experts investigating the aircraft's engine and technical systems have deepened the question as to how the fuel supply to both engines was cut off just seconds after take-off. According to sources related to the investigation, the process of engine analysis has not been completed yet, due to which the final investigation report is also likely to be delayed.

Technical experts involved in the investigation have found that both the engines of the aircraft were operating normally, but immediately after takeoff the fuel control switch moved from 'run' to 'cutoff' position. Due to this, the fuel supply to both the engines stopped and the aircraft started losing altitude rapidly. The same fact was also mentioned in the preliminary investigation report.

Was fuel cutoff the reason for the accident?

According to investigators, the plane had achieved normal speed just seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. Meanwhile, the fuel control switches of both the engines went into ‘cutoff’ mode almost simultaneously. After this the engine power started decreasing rapidly and the aircraft could not gain sufficient altitude. Later the switches were again brought into 'run' mode, but by then it was too late.

What came out in the report of the American company?

A technical investigation by engine manufacturer GE Aerospace and US experts has so far found no clear evidence of a major mechanical failure in the engine. However, a thorough investigation of the engine management system and its associated components is still ongoing. For this reason, Indian investigating agencies are waiting for additional technical reports before reaching final conclusions.

Is the role of pilots also under investigation?

The information received from the cockpit voice recorder in the initial report has also raised many questions. In the recording, one pilot is heard asking the other about fuel cutoff, while the other pilot in response denied taking any such step. For this reason, the investigating agencies are investigating both aspects of technical fault and human intervention.

Why did the wait for the final report extend?

Sources say that the investigation of the engine and fuel control system has not been completed yet. American and Indian experts are matching several technical aspects to clarify whether the fuel supply shutdown was the result of some technical glitch or there was some other reason behind it. Given the complexity of the investigation, it may take more time to release the final report.