Relevance
GS Paper 3 – Catastrophe Administration & Science/Tech:
GS Paper 2 – Governance / Establishments:
Context:
- On June 13, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 plane crashed close to Ahmedabad shortly after take-off, killing no less than 260 individuals, together with 19 on the bottom.
- Preliminary investigation by the Plane Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) reveals the gas switches of each engines transitioned to ‘CUTOFF’ simply 3 seconds after take-off, resulting in engine thrust loss and eventual crash.
Key Findings from AAIB Preliminary Report:
- Gas Swap Malfunction or Handbook Error?
- DGCA-registered cockpit recording captures:
- One pilot asking, “Why did you cut-off [fuel]?”
- The opposite denying having accomplished so.
- Each gas management switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF — 1 second aside — then switched again to RUN after 10–12 seconds.
- Engine Failure Timeline:
- 1:38:42 PM – Plane turns into airborne
- 3 seconds later – Gas switches transition to CUTOFF
- Mayday name despatched ~30 seconds later
- 1:39:00 PM – Plane crashes close to airport boundary
- Prior FAA Advisory Ignored:
- FAA Advisory (2018) warned of potential disengagement of gas swap locking function on Boeing 787-8.
- Air India didn’t act, citing non-mandatory nature of the advisory.
- Black Field Restoration Delays:
- Black bins (Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders, EAFRs) recovered:
- Tail part unit: Considerably broken
- Entrance unit: Lined in soot, however intact
- Information retrieved solely after US NTSB package arrived on June 23 – 10+ days delay
- Raises considerations on India’s readiness for crash forensics regardless of having a black field evaluation lab
Technical Insights:
- DGAT2 enzyme or technical fault not concerned right here (not like Alzheimer’s analysis in earlier word).
- Seemingly human error or mechanical disengagement of gas lock switches
- Report doesn’t advocate modifications to Boeing 787-8 plane or GE GEnx-1B engines as of now
Crucial Points Highlighted:
1. Pilot Communication & CRM Failure?
- Miscommunication or malfunction?
- Raises questions on Crew Useful resource Administration (CRM) practices and coaching
2. Regulatory Oversight Gaps:
- Advisory bulletins (FAA) not handled significantly
- Upkeep logs present no latest defect — however essential half was final changed in 2023
3. Crash Forensics Delays:
- Regardless of India having a black field lab, it wasn’t geared up to deal with the harm
- Dependence on U.S. gear (Golden Chassis, cables) delayed evaluation
Conclusion:
This tragic crash underscores systemic vulnerabilities in aviation security, regulatory response, and crash investigation infrastructure. Whereas technical malfunction or human error is but to be conclusively established, the occasion highlights the pressing want for higher compliance with worldwide advisories, quicker post-crash knowledge evaluation, and crew coaching in disaster administration.
With India increasing its aviation footprint, strengthening civil aviation security governance, enhancing indigenous black field forensics capability, and enhancing aircrew protocols should turn into nationwide priorities.
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