Air India Crash: Investigators Probe Tail Fire as Key Cause

National News: The investigation into the real reason behind the crash of Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft flying from Ahmedabad to London is now at a crucial stage. In this horrific accident that took place on June 12, the aircraft collided with the medical hostel complex as soon as it took off and caught fire, killing all 241 people on board. Apart from this, 19 people on the ground also died in this accident.

Now investigators are deeply investigating the possible "electric fire" in the tail section of the plane. Initial reports have revealed that this fire was limited to a small area, but the black box (EAFR) was damaged so much that data could not be extracted from it. The real cause of the accident can be revealed through this trail fire.

Signs of fire found in the tail section

The tail section of the plane was found stuck on the roof of the hostel and was largely unscathed from the post-crash explosion or fuel fire. But investigators found that the rear black box (EAFR) located in this section suffered thermal damage from inside. This black box does not break to the extent of a normal crash impact that the data cannot be retrieved.

Data could not be obtained from the black box

According to the preliminary report of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), data could not be downloaded from the rear black box using conventional methods because the device was badly burnt from inside. This indicates that the fire started before the accident or during the flight itself.

The stabilizer sensor already had a defect

Just a few hours before the accident, the same aircraft had taken off from Delhi to Ahmedabad (AI-423). After that flight, a "Pilot Defect Report" was filed by the pilot in which a fault was mentioned in the "STAB POS XDCR" (Stabilizer Position Transducer). However, it was fixed by the ground engineer and cleared for flight.

How did the engine fuel supply stop automatically?

Initial investigations revealed that the fuel supply to both engines was suddenly cut off moments after takeoff. The fuel control switches shifted from "RUN" to "CUTOFF" mode in a split second. In a cockpit voice recording, one pilot asks the other, "Why did you cut off?" to which the other replies, "I did not do so."

Electrical fault-related questions

According to a senior official, "If there was a fault in the electrical system before takeoff, it could have led to a miscalculation of the flight sensor data, which could further send incorrect data to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and cut off the fuel supply." Also, the auto start of the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) for more thrust during takeoff also indicates that some unusual developments had already begun.

ALPA is angry over questioning of pilots

Some media reports are blaming human error for this accident, to which the Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA) has reacted strongly. ALPA said that the crew members of AI-171 tried to save the passengers till their last breath. It is unfair to put any unnecessary allegations on them. They deserve respect, not to have their character questioned.