Pilots Reject Human Error Claims in ai171 Crash
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the fuel control switches, and the inspection of these switches has been ordered by India's aviation regulator to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with the pilots' groups and the airline awaiting the final report.
Indian Commercial Pilots Association and Airline Pilots' Association of India have rejected claims of human error in the Air India plane crash that killed 260 people, calling it a "reckless and unfounded insinuation" and a "gross violation of ethical reporting".
The initial probe by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau suggested that the fuel control switches were moved from "run" to "cutoff" position by one of the pilots, causing the plane to crash. However, the pilots' groups argue that there is no basis for such a claim, and have accused the investigative agency of "secrecy" and "presuming the guilt of pilots".
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson cautioned against premature conclusions, stating that the investigation is far from over. India's aviation regulator has ordered airlines to inspect fuel control switches on Boeing jets after the fatal Air India crash in June that killed 260 people. The checks are in line with a 2018 advisory by the US Federal Aviation Administration, which urged operators to inspect the locking feature of the fuel cut-off switches to prevent accidental movement.
The preliminary investigation into the crash found that the fuel control switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner were moved from "run" to "cut-off" position, hampering the plane's thrust. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the switches, and several airlines, including those in India and South Korea, have started carrying out their own checks.
The investigation is being led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with a final report expected within a year. The crash of Air India flight 171, a Boeing Dreamliner, occurred on June 12, killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, with only one passenger surviving.