Nearly six months after the Air India 171 crash in Ahmedabad, a US aviation attorney is closely monitoring the investigation. Mike Andrews of Beasley Allen represents families of more than 130 victims. According to a detailed report by a national daily, he has raised serious questions about why flight data was taken to the US if the early suspision of “pilot suicide” was meant to stand.
Andrews reportedly visited Ahmedabad for the third time this week. He said officials from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, the US National Transportation Safety Board, and other US investigators were meeting in Washington DC. The meeting, he noted, could influence the course of the probe.
The AAIB and NTSB are examining the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. A detailed forensic review of the information is underway. The fact that the data was sent to Washington suggested, according to Andrews, that investigators were exploring more than the suicide theory.
Matching cockpit audio with flight data and analysing the exact moment the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed, along with electrical changes in the preceding three, five, and ten seconds, would be key.
What is RAT?
The RAT is an emergency power generator that activates if an aircraft loses essential electrical or hydraulic systems. Andrews has previously represented victims of other major aviation disasters, including the Ethiopian Airlines crash.
Cockpit warnings are another crucial focus, he was quoted as saying. Multiple alarms of different types and levels would likely have sounded. A change in the fuel switch status might have been computer-initiated, not manual, he noted. A fuel switch movement without an accompanying click or switch noise on the cockpit recording would be a significant clue.
The RAT deployment remained, in his assessment, the critical event in understanding the crash. The preliminary AAIB report indicated that the RAT deployed before any fuel-switch movement.
Encouragement, he said, came from the petition filed in the Supreme Court by the pilot’s association and the pilot’s father. Court comments, according to Andrews, reflected concern about blaming the pilot without complete data. Full access to all recordings and evidence, he added, is essential to reach accurate conclusions.
The preliminary findings stated that the engine fuel control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF within one second of each other. This happened three seconds after liftoff, causing both engines to shut down. According to reports, no explanation was given for why the switches moved.
Some aviation experts suggested pilot suicide. Even certain US officials echoed that view. However, Indian pilot associations rejected the suggestion. The Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association and the Airline Pilots’ Association of India called the claims reckless and unfounded. The pilot’s father demanded a formal investigation, saying the report tarnished his son’s reputation and that the pilot was mentally fit.
Small details, significant clues
Andrews, meanwhile, has expressed satisfaction with the pace and method of the investigation. He noted that even small details, such as the survivor’s observations about cabin lights, provide crucial insight. These may indicate a shift from primary to emergency power.
He also highlighted the green lights observed by the lone survivor, indicating the aircraft had switched from primary to emergency power. These lights, he said, are a key clue to understanding the electrical system’s behaviour in the moments before the crash.
India and Air India, he said, are proceeding methodically, comparing this crash with past incidents where relevant. Some investigations yield data quickly, while others can take years.
Meanwhile, technical issues from Boeing documents were also examined. A 229-page report highlighted a history of water leaks on these aircraft. Water lines run above electrical compartments in the aft and cockpit sections, and they are connected with couplings and clips that can sometimes fail.
A covering called a split shroud can interfere with the proper operation of these clips. An alternative clip with a locking strap exists to prevent leaks.
Even as investigations are on, families of victims are still waiting for personal belongings recovered from the crash site. The items are being carefully cleaned and catalogued. Items that are easily identifiable, such as those with name tags, bag tags, or passports, can be returned more quickly.
Also Read: Air India 171 Tragedy: Victim Families Who Hired US Law Firm To File RTI Plea For Crash Data https://www.vibesofindia.com/air-india-171-tragedy-victim-families-who-hired-us-law-firm-to-file-rti-plea-for-crash-data/
