cnn.com
Air India Flight 171 Crash: Fuel Supply Cut Off During Ascent
Air India flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad, India on June 12, killing 251 people after the fuel supply to both engines was cut off during ascent, according to a preliminary report by the AAIB which is still investigating the cause of the fuel cutoff.
- What caused the fuel supply to both engines of Air India flight AI171 to be cut off during ascent, resulting in a fatal crash?
- Air India flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad, India, killing 251 people. A preliminary report indicates that fuel supply to both engines was cut off during ascent, causing the crash. The report does not specify if this was deliberate, accidental, or due to a technical fault.
- How were the fuel switches, requiring a deliberate two-step process each, simultaneously flipped to the "cutoff" position, and was this accidental, deliberate, or caused by a technical malfunction?
- The report reveals that both fuel switches were flipped to the "cutoff" position within one second of each other, halting fuel flow. This action, typically performed during engine shutdown after landing, is unusual during ascent. The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the switch activation.
- What are the broader implications of this accident concerning the design and safety protocols of fuel switches on Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and what steps should be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future?
- The incident highlights potential safety concerns regarding the placement and design of fuel switches on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. A 2018 FAA bulletin addressed potential locking mechanism issues, but Air India did not perform related inspections. Further investigation is needed to understand if this was a contributing factor. The lack of a full transcript of the cockpit voice recorder limits the current understanding.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and opening paragraphs immediately highlight the fuel cutoff as the central cause, potentially shaping reader interpretation to focus on pilot action or error. The description of the pilots' confusion regarding the fuel switch positions is presented early, directing attention toward human error. The sequencing emphasizes the immediate cause while deferring the explanation of how the cutoff occurred, which may predispose readers to assume pilot negligence.
Language Bias
The language used is mostly neutral and objective. However, phrases like "gut-wrenching descent" and terms like "bizarre" (in a quote) introduce some subjectivity. While these don't necessarily skew the facts, they add emotional weight that could sway reader perception. More neutral alternatives for "gut-wrenching descent" could include "rapid descent" or "steep descent.
Bias by Omission
The report omits a full transcript of the cockpit voice recorder, hindering a complete understanding of the pilots' actions and communication immediately preceding the fuel cutoff. The lack of detail regarding the FAA information bulletin and Air India's response also limits a thorough analysis of potential contributing factors. While acknowledging space constraints, the omission of the full transcript and detailed information on the FAA bulletin significantly impacts the ability to draw definitive conclusions.
False Dichotomy
The report doesn't explicitly present a false dichotomy, but the focus on the fuel cutoff as the primary cause might implicitly overshadow other potential contributing factors, such as mechanical failure or other pilot error possibilities. The narrative leans towards resolving the question of *why* the engines lost power, rather than fully exploring *how* the fuel switches were inadvertently or deliberately activated.
Sustainable Development Goals
The aviation accident resulted in significant loss of life, impacting families and potentially leading to long-term financial hardship for those affected. The crash also caused damage to property, including a hospital, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities.