The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has released its preliminary report on the recent crash of Air India flight AI 171, which took off from Ahmedabad destined for London. The report indicates that both engines of the Boeing 787-8 aircraft failed seconds after takeoff, directly contributing to the tragic incident that resulted in the loss of 260 lives, including those on the ground.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation cautioned against jumping to conclusions based on this preliminary report, stating it is not the final analysis. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol emphasized that the ministry respects the autonomy of the AAIB, affirming, “Until the final report comes out, we should not arrive at any conclusion.”
The 15-page report points out a critical technical issue: the fuel cutoff switches for both engines transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF within a second of each other, indicating that the engines were deprived of fuel almost instantaneously. Furthermore, Minister Mohol noted that domestic resources are now sufficient for analyzing the black boxes of crashed aircraft, eliminating the need to send them abroad as was previously required.
It is essential to highlight that the AAIB operates independently from government influence, and any commentary on the preliminary findings is premature given that investigations are still ongoing. Both engines from the wreckage have been recovered and stored in a hangar at the airport for detailed examination.
Fuel samples were also taken from the aircraft’s tanks and refueling equipment, all of which were subsequently deemed satisfactory upon testing at the DGCA Lab. However, a limited number of additional fuel samples retrieved from the aircraft’s APU filter and refuel/jettison valve will require testing at a specialized facility due to their restricted volume.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on uncovering the underlying causes of this devastating accident, and authorities urge patience as they work to ensure all facts are meticulously examined before any definitive conclusions are drawn.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/shouldnt-arrive-at-conclusions-govt-says-aaib-report-not-final-says-probe-still-on-13905652.html
Category: India
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-07-12 13:01:00
