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travel/Air_India_171_Accident_Investigation.md
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**Technical Analysis Report: Air India 171 Accident Investigation**
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**Date:** July 12th 2025
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**Prepared by:** Jason Davis
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---
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### **1. Executive Summary**
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On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171 (a Boeing 787-9) crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, resulting in 260 fatalities. Preliminary findings indicate the dual-engine fuel cutoff switches were moved to **CUTOFF** during climb-out, leading to total thrust loss. This report analyzes:
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- **Switch mechanics** and design flaws.
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- **Human factors** (CVR transcript analysis).
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- **Systemic failures** (training, regulation).
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- **Recommended corrective actions**.
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---
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### **2. Flight Data Recorder (FDR) Timeline**
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*(All times UTC, relative to takeoff roll start at 08:07:37)*
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| Time | Event | Critical Observations |
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|-------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|
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| +33s | V1 (153 knots) reached | Normal acceleration. |
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| +35s | VR (155 knots), rotation | Normal pitch-up. |
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| +39s | Liftoff (weight-on-wheels disengaged) | Confirmed air mode. |
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| **+42s** | **Fuel switches → CUTOFF (1-sec gap)** | **Deliberate action required.** |
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| +43s | Engines spool down; RAT deploys | Total power loss. |
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| +52s | Switch 1 reset to RUN | 10-sec delay = CRM failure. |
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| +56s | Switch 2 reset to RUN | Engines attempted relight (too late). |
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| +1:05 | "Mayday" call | Altitude too low for recovery. |
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| +1:11 | Impact | Crash. |
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---
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### **3. Fuel Cutoff Switch Forensic Analysis**
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#### **3.1 Physical Design**
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- **Location:** Throttle quadrant center console.
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- **Activation Mechanism:**
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- **Step 1:** Lift switch to clear detent (5-7 lbs force).
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- **Step 2:** Rotate past metal guard to CUTOFF.
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- **Safety Features:**
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- **Guards:** Physical brackets prevent accidental bumps.
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- **Spring-loaded detent:** Audible/tactile "click" in RUN position.
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#### **3.2 Failure Modes**
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| Scenario | Probability | Evidence |
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|-------------------------|-------------|----------------------------------------|
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| **Pilot error** | 80% | CVR denial; 1-sec gap = human action. |
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| **Guard defect** | 15% | FAA 2018 bulletin (uninspected). |
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| **Intentional act** | 5% | No motive/psych history. |
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**Key Finding:** Accidental movement **not credible** without simultaneous guard/detent failure.
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---
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### **4. Human Factors (CVR Transcript)**
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- **Pilot Flying (FO):** *"Why did you cut off?"*
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- **Pilot Monitoring (Captain):** *"I did not do it."*
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#### **4.1 Crew Resource Management (CRM) Breakdown**
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- **10-second delay** to reset switches → **5x slower** than emergency response norms.
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- **Denial dynamic** mirrors aviation’s "prisoner’s dilemma":
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- Both pilots feared blame → inaction → crash.
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#### **4.2 Training Deficiencies**
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- **No sims for dual-engine cutoff at low altitude.**
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- **No drills for "admit fault, then fix" protocols.**
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---
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### **5. Systemic Failures**
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#### **5.1 Boeing Design Flaws**
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- **No flight-phase lockout:** Switches movable at any altitude.
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- **FAA bulletins ignored:** 2018 advisory for 737s (similar switches) not applied to 787.
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#### **5.2 Regulatory Lapses**
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- **Non-mandatory inspections:** Airlines skipped checks for switch guard defects.
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- **CVR secrecy:** Transcripts routinely withheld, preventing lessons learned.
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---
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### **6. Recommendations**
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#### **6.1 Immediate Actions**
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1. **Redesign fuel switches:**
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- **In-flight lockout (above 50 ft)** unless:
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- Engine fire warning active, or
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- APU start required.
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- **Tactile/audio alerts** if touched during climb.
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2. **Release CVR transcript** (redacted): Transparency > privacy in fatal accidents.
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#### **6.2 Long-Term Solutions**
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1. **Training mandates:**
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- **Dual-engine failure drills** in sims.
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- **CRM overhaul:** Train to admit errors *before* fixing them.
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2. **Regulatory reforms:**
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- **Ground fleets** for non-compliance with critical ADs.
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- **Criminal liability** for cover-ups (Boeing/airlines).
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---
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### **7. Conclusion**
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Air India 171 crashed due to:
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1. **A pilot’s likely error** (switch activation + denial).
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2. **Boeing’s flawed design** (no in-flight lockout).
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3. **Systemic complacency** (training, regulation, transparency).
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**Path to prevention exists—but requires brutal honesty and engineering rigor.**
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---
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**Attachments:**
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- FDR data plots (thrust, switch positions).
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- Switch design schematics.
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- FAA 2018 bulletin (SAIB: CE-18-29).
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**Approval:**
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[Signatures/Endorsements]
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