Electrical fault in spotlight as other factors ruled out in AI-171 crash, say experts

Experts have flagged a 2018 FAA advisory that warned of possible disengagement of the fuel switch locking mechanism on similar Boeing models.
| Photo Credit:
KUNAL PATIL

Aviation experts believe that future lines of enquiry by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are likely to focus on possible electrical or software malfunction that may have caused the crash of Air India Flight AI 171.

Experts cited the bureau’s preliminary findings as having ruled out other potential causes such as weather conditions, the aircraft’s airworthiness, pilots’ competencies, bird strikes and theories around substandard fuel.

Quoting the report, experts told businessline that given the sudden in-flight shutdown of both engines and the pilots’ reaction to reverse it, the AAIB “is expected and should seriously investigate the electrical or software fault angle”.

Several pilots told businessline that “no evidence so far supports any misconduct by the pilots. Even the report does not blame the pilots. However, there is a lot of doubt over electrical or software fault.”

Fuel control switch

Besides, experts have flagged a 2018 FAA advisory that warned of possible disengagement of the fuel switch locking mechanism on similar Boeing models.

Notably, the advisory was not considered a critical safety issue at the time and was not acted upon by Air India, as compliance was not mandatory.

Veteran aviator Captain Shakti Lumba asked the AAIB why the physical position of the fuel control switch is not mentioned in the EAFR.

“AAIB must state if they refer to this switch’s physical position or the relay/s in the TCB (Throttle Control Box) position as ‘Run’ and ‘Cutoff’,” he said. “The fuel control switch, when moved to position, makes a distinct sound. Has the voice recorder confirmed this movement of the switch prior to the query by one pilot to the other?”

According to Mark D. Martin of Martin Consulting, the fact that the fuel switches were found in ‘run’ from the crash evidence itself shuts down the malicious, biased, and appalling “theory of suicide.”

He said: “With months still remaining for the investigation to conclude, additional evidence to review, and the findings to be comprehensive, AAIB and NTSB have no business to exonerate Boeing and GE at the preliminary initial review stage; this itself shows bias and that the investigation process is being skewed and manipulated.”

Engine shutdown

Martin said the engine shutdown is most likely due to the faulty Honeywell-made switch, which the FAA alerted airlines about in 2018, or further evidence needs to be reviewed as to what, apart from the switches, caused both engines to shut down on takeoff.

Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground.

“The crew response was swift and in line with emergency procedures. Everything in the data shows they were trying to save the aircraft, not bring it down,” another expert told businessline.

More Like This

Published on July 13, 2025