Air India plane crash: “We cannot say anything clear at the moment,” Minister Meridhal Mohall said in Ah Abu’s preliminary report
In response to the preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to the deadly Air India AI 171 crash, Civil Aviation Secretary Murlidhar Mohol said on Saturday that the findings were still in an early stage and that “no sure” could end at this point.
“This is only a preliminary report. I believe further investigation is still underway. It is inappropriate to make any confirmed statement before the final report is released.”
AAIB report shows fuel cutoff, cockpit chaos
AAIB report released earlier in the day showed that both fuel control switches after takeoff supply fuel to the engine, shutting down the engine for a few seconds. The incident involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which crashed shortly after departing from Ahmedabad on June 12 and was driven in a cockpit recorder. It caught a pilot, asked another pilot, saying “I didn’t cut off the fuel, but was told: “I didn’t.” ”
India is now equipped with domestic black box analysis
Mohol responded to the findings and so far the AAIB has done a commendable work. “Earlier, we had to send the black box abroad for analysis. Today, India has its own facilities for such investigations, which reflects how far we have gone in terms of aviation safety,” he said.
He also reiterated that all possible causes, including vandals, are being studied. The minister earlier said: “Investigation is conducted from all angles. CCTV footage is being reviewed and multiple agencies are involved. This is a rare and serious case.”
Experts urge caution and require a comprehensive investigation
Aviation expert Mark Martin also warned that it was an “extremely impossible” for pilots to deliberately tamper with fuel conversion during takeoff. “These are not controls you usually interact with during the flight phase. Pilots are often focused on flaps or landing gear, not fuel shutdowns,” he said, adding that a comprehensive investigation is required before any conclusions are drawn.
Mohol responded to this view: “Their work is still in progress. Once the final report is released, comments can be made.”
