AI-171 Crash Probe: Engines Shut Down After Takeoff, Pilots Left Confused

AI-171 Crash Probe: A first draft report of an Air India jetliner crash that ended up killing 260 persons last month showed disarray in the cockpit just before the aircraft crashed, when the engine fuel cut off switches in both engines were apparently thrown, almost simultaneously, depriving the engines of fuel.

According to the report on the deadliest aviation crash in the past one decade, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that was to fly to London via Ahmedabad, started losing thrust and sinking downwards.

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New doubts have been brought against the location of the pilot critical engine fuel cutoff switches on the plane in a report by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau ( AAIB ) regarding the June 12 crash just through a takeoff that stated there was no obvious role played by the Boeing and engine manufacturer GE in the accident.

Within seconds of the plane starting to ascend, the CCTV records reveal that a backup power source known as a ram air turbine had extended which is an indication that engines had lost their power.

Final pilot to pilot conversation

As per the present results, one pilot was recorded by the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) asking, “Why did you cutoff?” to which the other responded, “I didn’t do so.” The backup power device, Ram Air Turbine (RAT), automatically deployed seconds later, which signified complete loss of thrust within the engine as it can be seen in the CCTV footage considered.

"The aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall," the report further stated.

This was Sumeet Sabharwal, a 56 years old paragon with a total 15,638 hours of flying experience who was also an instructor of the air India whose presence as the commander of the Air India plane was the captain of the Air India plane. His co-pilot was a 32 year old Clive Kunder who had 3,403 total flight experience.

The fuel switches had then slotted to a run/cutoff only seconds after take off. The preliminary report did not indicate how the switches could have made themselves move to the cutoff position during the flight.

What were the pilots?

CAPTAIN SUMEET SABHARWAL

The 56 years old holder had an airline transport pilot licence which was valid up to May 14, 2026.

He had acquired the clearances to operate as the pilot-in-command of various aircrafts such as Boeing 787 777, Airbus A310 among others.

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His flying experience on a total basis was 15,638 hours out of which 8,596 hours were on a Boeing 787.

According to a Times of India report, Sabharwal had previously phoned his family at the airport indicating that he would call them again once he landed at London. Told the Reuters by a pilot who had a cursory encounter him, he was a "gentleman."

CORPORAL CLIVE KUNDER

The 32-year old was a licensed commercial pilot whose license was issued in the year 2020 and expires on September 26, 2025.

He had got notices to fly Cessna 172 and Piper PA-34 Seneca planes as a pilot-in-command and as a co-pilot on jets of Airbus A320 and Boeing 787.

His flying experience was 3.403hours altogether. Of that 1,128 hours were experience as a 787 co-pilot.

Kunder was an avid flier since his school going days and in 2012 he started serving as one, according to Indian media as quoted by relatives. He came on board at Air India in 2017.

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