Ahmedabad plane crash report reveals both engines shut down following fuel cutoff

A preliminary report on the plane crash in Ahmedabad has been released. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) made the 15-page report public on July 12. Initial investigations suggest the crash occurred because both engines of the aircraft shut down within minutes of each other.

Shortly after takeoff, the engines stopped one after the other. Cockpit recordings revealed a pilot asking his co-pilot, “Did you shut down the engines?” to which the other replied, “No.”

The Fly AI 171 aircraft, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed into a medical hostel building seconds after takeoff on June 12, killing 270 people, including 241 passengers and crew members. One person aboard survived, while others on the ground were also killed.

Findings from the Investigation:

What happened in the air?

Both engines shut down mid-air within seconds after takeoff. This caused the fuel cutoff switch to change from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff,’ stopping fuel supply almost immediately.

Pilot Conversation:

Cockpit audio recordings show one pilot asking, “Did you shut the engine off?” The co-pilot responded, “I didn’t.”

Was there an attempt to restart the engines?

The pilots tried to restart the engines. The N1 engine showed some signs of starting but did not successfully restart before the second engine failed. The aircraft remained airborne only for 32 seconds.

Any fuel issues?

Fuel testing post-crash showed no issues with the fuel. However, the thrust lever was completely broken. The black box data indicated that the thrust was malfunctioning during takeoff, suggesting a disconnection in control.

Was there a bird strike?

Flap settings (5 degrees) and gear down were standard for takeoff. There were no indications of bird strikes.

Weather Conditions During the Crash:

Weather conditions were clear with good visibility. There were no signs of storms or adverse weather.

Were the pilots medically fit?

Both pilots were medically fit, with the main pilot having 8,200 hours and the co-pilot 1,100 hours of flight experience.

Any Recommendations to the Airline Yet?

The report states that this is an initial investigation and the inquiry is ongoing. Currently, no recommendations have been made to the Boeing manufacturer or engine maker General Electric (GE).

Deployment of Ram Air Turbine (RAT):

The report noted that the RAT deployed after the engines shut down. This small propeller-like device uses airflow to generate power when the aircraft’s main power is lost.

How did the crash unfold?

According to the report, the aircraft first hit a tree, then a chimney, before crashing into a building where it caught fire. Debris was scattered over a wide area.

Did the pilots send an emergency ‘Mayday’ signal?

The final signal from the aircraft was sent at an altitude of 190 meters (625 feet), shortly after takeoff. The pilots sent a ‘Mayday’ emergency message to air traffic control after taking off at 1:39 PM on June 12, but received no response.

Significance of the Fuel Switch:

In Dreamliner aircraft, each engine has ‘run’ and ‘cutoff’ modes. If the switch is set to ‘cutoff’ mid-flight, fuel stops flowing to the engine, causing a loss of thrust and potentially cutting electrical supply, which can disable cockpit instruments.