US Investigators Signal Withdrawal from Air India Crash Probe

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently threatened to withdraw from the investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash due to frustrations over a lack of transparency and slow progress by Indian authorities. This incident occurred on June 12, 2023, and has left many unanswered questions regarding the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The investigation has faced significant delays, particularly in accessing crucial information from the aircraft’s black boxes. Although the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report within the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s 30-day guideline, there has been considerable frustration among families of the victims and international investigators over the general reticence of Indian authorities in providing updates.

New findings suggest that the crash was linked to the fuel control switches of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner being turned off, which resulted in the engines being starved of fuel during the crucial takeoff and climb phases. It remains unclear whether the switch was turned off intentionally, was a significant error, or if a technical fault with the aircraft was to blame.

Families Demand Transparency Amid Investigation Delays

Families of the victims have expressed growing frustration with the pace of the investigation. They have called for greater transparency, specifically requesting access to the cockpit voice recordings. In a statement, relatives of victims Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara voiced their need for “honesty, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the full truth.” They emphasized that justice and answers are essential for any sense of closure.

As reported by The Hindu, the NTSB played a key role in extracting data from the black boxes, which contained approximately 49 hours of flight data from six flights. Despite earlier plans to move the black boxes to a different facility, the AAIB ultimately decided to process the information in Delhi.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, there were moments when the NTSB nearly withdrew their resources from the investigation. Ultimately, they remained to assist but have since returned to the United States.

Pilot Unions Criticize Speculation and Demand Caution

Following the analysis of the black box data, investigators are now focused on the status of the fuel switches, which were found in the ‘CUTOFF’ position shortly after takeoff. Speculation surrounding the possibility of pilot suicide has arisen, given the low likelihood of an accidental switch being turned off. This speculation has drawn criticism from pilot unions in India.

The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA-I) has categorically rejected these presumptions, calling for a fact-centered inquiry. Similarly, the Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) has emphasized the need for caution, stating that “invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible — it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved.”

The cockpit voice recorder revealed that the flight’s pilots, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, discussed the fuel switches. Investigators are also examining a potential fault in the MN4 microprocessor of the engine control unit (ECU), an issue highlighted in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) service bulletin in 2021. The bulletin warned that thermal cycles could lead to failures in the solder ball, resulting in a loss of control from the flight deck.

As the investigation continues, the quest for answers remains critical for the families affected by this tragic event. The NTSB, along with Indian authorities, faces the challenge of ensuring a thorough inquiry that addresses the concerns of both the victims’ families and the international aviation community.