Air India pilot asked why fuel had been cut off moments before crash

Debris at the site of the crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in June - Siddharaj SolankiI/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

All but one of 242 people on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were killed when the aircraft plunged into a medical student hostel in a built-up suburb last month, less than a minute after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.

Initial findings from the investigation into the crash indicate switches controlling fuel flow to the jet’s two engines were turned off leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust at take-off.

Amid the confusion, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why “did you cut off” to the fuel supply in the recovered cockpit voice recording. The other pilot responded that he “didn’t”, according to the report released on Friday night by Indian authorities.

The switches were then moved back to their normal position, which automatically started the process of relighting the engines.

One of the engines was in the process of regaining power at the time the aircraft crashed. The other was relit but was not yet regaining thrust.

“At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to B787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers, suggesting that no significant fault has been found with the plane or its engines,” the report reads.

The findings explain why the jet’s emergency-power generator, known as a ram air turbine, appeared to have been activated moments before it plummeted to the ground.

While the initial report does not draw any conclusion, it has raised questions about the actions of Sumeet Sabharwal, the plane’s captain, and Clive Kundar, the first officer.

The pilots had more than 9,000 hours of flying time between them.

In the moments before disaster Sabharwal issued a mayday call. However, after the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of barely 400ft above the runway all contact was lost.

At “08:09:05 UTC,” with the ground rapidly approaching, one of the pilots transmitted the distress call: “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY,” the report said.

However, air traffic control received no further communication. 

“The ATCO enquired about the call sign. ATCO did not get any response but observed the aircraft crashing outside the airport boundary and activated the emergency response,” reads the report.

Video footage showed the jet suffering a catastrophic loss of lift as the pilot said he was losing power.

Debris from the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft - Adnan Abidi/Reuters

The plane then glided down towards the ground, and after disappearing behind a group of trees it crashed just a few hundred yards from the end of the runway in an explosion of fire.

In its 15-page report, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau said the wreckage had been moved to a secure site near the airport.

“Both engines were retrieved from the wreckage site and quarantined at a hangar in the airport,” the report said.

“Components of interest for further examinations have been identified and quarantined,” the report added.

The flap handle recovered from the wreckage was found to be firmly seated in the 5-degree flap position, consistent with normal take-off procedures.

“The position was also confirmed from the EAFR data. The landing gear lever was in ‘DOWN’ position. The thrust lever quadrant sustained significant thermal damage.”

One of the engines at the scene of the crash. A report suggests the power was cut - Amit Kumar

The crash was the first fatal accident involving Boeing’s Dreamliner. However, the airliner had already suffered reputational damage after a string of safety and quality problems.

The Dreamliner, which entered service in 2011, is popular among commercial airlines and is commonly used on international long-haul routes.

Delays in the investigation led by Indian authorities and the refusal to release information to the public has fuelled frustration among some American government officials.

India’s government said data extraction from the plane’s black boxes started on June 24 by a team of Indian and US experts, including some from the US National Transportation Safety Board.

American officials have been frustrated by what they say is the slow pace of downloading, analysing and sharing the contents of the black boxes, insiders added.

The investigation will also examine the plane’s engine thrust capacity, its flap settings – which affect how much altitude a plane can gain – and why the aircraft’s landing gear remained extended.

Maintenance records and crew actions are also under review, while a bird strike has reportedly been ruled out.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seen with Indian PM Narendra Modi, was hailed a ‘miracle man’ after surviving the accident

The businessman from Leicester was sitting in seat 11A, which was close to the front of the plane and severed from the rest of the fuselage during the crash.

Mr Ramesh suffered multiple injuries, including contusions to his chest and deep lacerations on both feet, but managed to walk away from the crash. His brother was killed in the accident.

Fifty-three British nationals were killed alongside 169 Indian nationals, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.

At the time, the chief executive and president of Boeing vowed to assist the investigation into the crash. 

“Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of the passengers and crew on board Air India Flight 171, as well as everyone affected in Ahmedabad,” Kelly Ortberg said.

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