The Indian government told Parliament that investigators found no abnormality in the fuel-control switch locking mechanism of Air India Flight AI-171.
The update is critical as officials attempt to determine the cause of the 2023 crash that resulted in 260 fatalities [1]. Identifying whether a mechanical failure or human error caused the disaster is central to improving aviation safety standards in the region.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol provided the briefing during the Monsoon Session of Parliament in July 2024. He said that advanced testing carried out by the aircraft’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) found no defect in the fuel control switch or its locking mechanism [1].
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is now in the final stages of its inquiry. The government said the probe is expected to be completed within six weeks [2]. A draft final report is slated to be ready by October 2024 [2].
The fuel-control switch was previously identified as a suspected component in the crash. However, the latest findings from the OEM indicate that the hardware functioned as intended, meaning the cause of the accident lies elsewhere [3].
The AAIB continues to analyze other flight data and wreckage to finalize the sequence of events leading to the crash. The government said it remains committed to providing a full account of the tragedy to the families of the victims and the public [2].
“Advanced testing carried out by the aircraft’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) found no defect in the fuel control switch”
By ruling out a defect in the fuel-control switch, investigators have eliminated a major mechanical theory regarding the AI-171 crash. This shifts the focus of the final report toward other possibilities, such as operational errors, other systemic mechanical failures, or external factors, narrowing the scope of the AAIB's final conclusions.
