Rumors and speculations have been swirling since the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171. This devastating event that took place in Ahmedabad on June 12 claimed 260 lives, including 19 on the ground. It stands as one of India's largest aviation disasters. Following the release of initial investigation reports and subsequent media coverage, a dispute has emerged.
Jennifer Homendy, head of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has criticized recent international media reports as 'hasty and speculative.' She stated, "The reports on Air India 171 crash are incomplete and are mere conjectures before the investigation is concluded. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has only released preliminary findings, and such investigations take time."
Source: aajtak
Varied Claims in Air India Crash Report
The AAIB’s preliminary report indicated that fuel supply was suddenly cut during the flight. While one pilot raised concerns, the other dismissed it. Based on this, some media reports attributed the incident to pilot error or cockpit confusion.
Meanwhile, the AAIB of India has labeled some media reports, especially those by The Wall Street Journal, as “incomplete and unverified.” The bureau stated, "Such major accidents naturally cause public concern, but spreading fear or confusion about aviation safety in India is unwarranted, especially when verified facts are still pending."
Source: aajtak
The Wall Street Journal Report and Allegations on Captain
The AAIB emphasized that preliminary reports are merely sequential accounts of events, and restraint is crucial until the final report is released. They accused sections of international media of attempting to draw conclusions from “selective and unverified information,” calling this approach “irresponsible.” The Wall Street Journal reported that according to U.S. officials, black box data suggests Captain Sumit Sabharwal turned off the fuel control switches just before the crash.
Claim of Switching from Run to Cutoff Mode
According to the preliminary report, the aircraft crashed about 30 seconds after takeoff. The report mentions that as the plane reached its maximum speed, the 'fuel cutoff switches of Engine 1 and Engine 2 moved from run to cutoff position within a second. However, the report does not clarify how these switches were turned off spontaneously.
The report further noted that the switches were returned to run mode, but by that time, the plane had lost altitude and failed to regain power in time. The final report is still awaited, and the investigation agencies urge everyone to exercise patience and avoid spreading misinformation.
