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Air India report: Key findings
1. DUAL ENGINE SHUTDOWN
Both engines flamed out just seconds after take-off when fuel cut-off switches were inexplicably moved from ‘run’ to ‘cutoff’ in rapid succession.
2. STARTLING COCKPIT EXCHANGE
Voice recordings captured one pilot urgently asking, ‘Why did you cut off?’ — met with a stunned reply, ‘I didn’t.’
3. TOTAL POWER FAILURE CAUGHT ON CCTV
The emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed, a tell-tale sign of complete electrical loss, moments before impact.
4. DESPERATE RESTART BID
Crews tried to relight the engines. Engine one flickered back to life briefly, but the second engine failed to recover.
5. PLUNGED IN 32 SECONDS
The aircraft remained airborne for barely half a minute, crashing less than a nautical mile from the runway into a hostel building.
6. PUZZLING THRUST LEVER MISMATCH
Thrust levers were found idle post-crash, yet black box data showed take-off power still commanded, pointing to a possible mechanical disconnect.
7. FUEL RULED OUT
Tests confirmed clean fuel, eliminating contamination or refuelling errors.
8. NORMAL TAKE-OFF SET-UP
Flaps and landing gear were correctly configured, with no sign of operational missteps.
9.CLEAR SKIES, PILOTS EXPERIENCED
No adverse weather, bird strikes or pilot health issues. Both aviators were certified, rested and experienced on this aircraft type.
10. NO FOUL PLAY DETECTED YET
No sabotage evident, but troublingly, Air India had skipped inspections despite an FAA alert over a known fuel switch vulnerability.
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Air India crash pilot “error” then.