Air India Crash: Cockpit Audio Suggests Captain May Have Cut Off Engine Fuel Supply
New cockpit audio from the Air India crash reveals captain may have cut off engine fuel supply. Authorities urge caution as investigation continues.
image for illustrative purpose
In the inquiry into the deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, last month, startling new information has surfaced. The Wall Street Journal claimed that an audio recording from the cockpit suggests that the captain of the aircraft may have manually turned off the engine gasoline supply soon after takeoff.
The event occurred on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
What the Recording from the Cockpit Shows
According to the report, the captain's choice to put the engine switches in the "cutoff" position, which essentially stops the engines' fuel flow, was questioned by the first officer. According to reports, the captain stayed composed during the exchange, while the first officer seemed startled and terrified.
Although the report doesn't say if the conduct was unintentional or deliberate, aviation experts are worried and keeping a close eye on the investigation.
The government reacts cautiously.
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, India's minister of civil aviation, has asked the public and media to refrain from making assumptions until the conclusion of the probe is made public.
"I don't believe we should draw any hasty judgements about this. We have to be grateful for our team and pilots' efforts. "They are the foundation of civil aviation," Mr. Naidu stated at a press conference last week.
He also emphasised that technical variables are still being examined by investigators and that the current findings are tentative rather than definitive.
Investigators Are Still Analysing the Motivation
According to the Wall Street Journal, which quoted American pilots and safety specialists who were acquainted with the investigation, the initial evidence clearly indicates that the captain was the one who turned on the fuel valves. It is unclear, therefore, if this was an operational error or a purposeful act.
As the inquiry continues, it is anticipated that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other aviation authorities will offer more conclusive responses in the upcoming weeks.
