The second point in the blog refers to a critical mechanical failure involving the fuel control switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner that operated Air India Flight AI-171. Here's a structured breakdown of what went wrong:
🔧 What Are Fuel Control Switches?
- Located on the central control pedestal, each engine has a switch with two positions:
- RUN: Allows fuel to flow to the engine
- CUTOFF: Stops fuel supply, shutting down the engine
- These switches are spring-loaded and guarded to prevent accidental movement. To change their position, a pilot must lift and shift the switch deliberately.
⚠️ What Happened on AI-171?
- Seconds after takeoff, both switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF, cutting fuel to both engines.
- The aircraft lost thrust immediately and crashed within 30 seconds, killing 260 people.
- Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking, “Why did you cut off?” and the other replying, “I did not,” indicating confusion and lack of control.
Possible Causes
- A 2018 FAA bulletin warned of a defect in the locking mechanism of these switches, which could allow them to move without pilot input.
- Air India did not inspect its aircraft for this issue because the bulletin was advisory, not mandatory.
- Experts believe the switches may have transitioned due to mechanical failure, not human error.
Why This Matters
- The switches were found in the RUN position in the wreckage, suggesting the pilots tried to restart the engines.
- The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) and Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) activated, confirming a complete engine shutdown.
- The incident has prompted other airlines like Etihad to inspect their Boeing 787s for the same fault.
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