Last month, an Air India passenger jet crashed, killing 260 people in a tragedy that shook the aviation community. A recently released preliminary investigation report points to a puzzling technical anomaly: nearly simultaneous movement of both engine fuel control switches from "run" to "cutoff," cutting off the fuel supply and causing a total loss of thrust just moments before impact.
According to the report, cockpit voice recordings and flight data show that within seconds, the engines sputtered and died, leaving the crew powerless to restore power. However, investigators found no evidence of an onboard emergency or protocol that would have prompted an intentional engine shutdown.
Key findings include:
- Both fuel control switches flipped from "run" to "cutoff."
- The engines were starved of fuel, leading to total power loss.
- No recorded emergency procedure or warning for an intentional cutoff.
- 260 passengers and crew members aboard lost their lives.
While the report raises more questions than it answers, experts say the incident highlights critical issues in cockpit design and crew training. Human-machine interface experts note that even minor ambiguities in switch placement or labeling can contribute to accidental inputs at high stress.
“This is a stark reminder that aviation safety depends not just on machinery but on the seamless interaction between pilots and controls,” says an independent analyst. “We need clearer switch safeguards and enhanced simulation training to reduce the risk of similar accidents.”
As investigators work to uncover how the switches moved, regulators globally may review design standards and training protocols. Meanwhile, the aviation industry faces renewed scrutiny on how to keep air travel safe in an increasingly complex cockpit environment.
Reference(s):
Air India crash report shows confusion over engine switch movement
cgtn.com
