Tragedy of Air India AI 171: Unveiling Human Factors and Technical Insights
Key insights
- đŠī¸ Preliminary report of Air India flight AI 171 highlights critical cockpit data.
- đ Investigation involves multiple agencies, including NTSB and aviation psychologists.
- đ¤ Cockpit voice recorder captured vital communications during the flight.
- đ§ Pilot mental health is crucial for safety, as emphasized by expert Dr. Charlie Carreri.
- âī¸ Technical issues regarding fuel control switches are under scrutiny.
- â ī¸ Confusion between pilots during engine shutdown reflects the need for clear procedures.
- đ¨ Engines attempted to relight, but failures led to a mayday and tragedy.
- đŦ Highlighting the critical role of psychological support for pilots in high-stress scenarios.
Q&A
What technical issues related to fuel control switches were discussed? âī¸
The transcript indicates ongoing concerns regarding the functionality of fuel control switches in aircraft, particularly highlighting the differences between airworthiness directives and bulletins, as well as potential installation problems that may lead to technical failures in flight.
What occurred when the engines attempted to relight? đĨ
In a critical situation, both engines attempted to relight post fuel cutoff. Engine 1 was able to relight successfully, as indicated by EGT readings, but Engine 2 failed to recover thrust, leading to a mayday call. Despite commendable pilot actions in response to engine failures, the altitude was insufficient to facilitate a recovery, resulting in a tragedy.
What were the communication issues between the pilots? âī¸
The cockpit discussion revealed significant miscommunication during the incident. One pilot claimed not to have intentionally manipulated the fuel control switches, despite witnessing the engines reducing power. This confusion underscores the importance of clear communication and adherence to aviation protocols following critical situations.
What role did the first officer play in the incident? đĢ
The first officer was responsible for engaging and disengaging engine fuel supplies as per the captain's instructions. The process is designed to be rapid, but the cockpit lay bare moments of confusion and miscommunication, particularly during the unintentional fuel cutoff situation.
What insights does the flight data recorder provide? âŗ
The flight data recorder offers detailed insights into the aircraft's critical speeds during takeoff, including the go/no-go decision speed (V1) and the transitioning of air-ground sensors. This data helps analyze pilot actions leading up to the engine shutdowns and overall incident.
What is the significance of aviation psychologists in this investigation? đ§
Aviation psychologists are part of the investigation into the AI 171 crash to assess human factors impacting pilot performance. Their involvement emphasizes the critical importance of pilot mental health and emotional well-being in aviation safety, and will bring valuable insights in the upcoming interview with Dr. Charlie Carreri.
What happened during the Air India flight AI 171 incident? đŠī¸
The Air India flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad to Gatwick on June 12, 2025. The preliminary report highlights vital cockpit information, detailing communications from the cockpit voice recorder and technical issues with fuel control switches that may have contributed to the tragedy.
- 00:00 The preliminary report on Air India flight AI 171, which crashed shortly after takeoff, reveals crucial cockpit information and involves an extensive investigation by multiple agencies. The inclusion of aviation psychologists raises questions about the human factors involved in the incident. đŠī¸
- 03:51Â The video discusses the role of pilot mental health in aviation safety, highlighting the importance of psychological support for pilots. Dr. Charlie Carreri, an expert in the field, will provide insights in an upcoming interview. The transcript also touches on technical issues regarding fuel control switches in aircraft, emphasizing the difference between airworthiness directives and bulletins. đ
- 07:18Â The transcript discusses a plane crash, focusing on the data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, specifically during takeoff, including key speeds and events leading up to the crash. âŗ
- 10:41 The first officer is responsible for starting and shutting down the engines as instructed by the captain. The process involves specific steps for engaging and disengaging fuel supplies to the engines, which happens consistently and rapidly. There's mention of communication between pilots during critical moments, highlighting the confusion in a scenario where engine fuel was cut off unexpectedly. đĢ
- 13:41 A discussion in the cockpit reveals confusion and miscommunication between the pilots regarding an intentional shutdown of the engines, emphasizing the importance of clear procedures and actions in aviation. âī¸
- 17:00 Engines relit during a critical situation, but one failed to recover thrust leading to a mayday call and eventual tragedy. Discussion on pilot mental health is also emphasized. âī¸