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🚨🛫 Air India Crash Shock: Pilot Switched Off Fuel? 😱➡️ Full Drama Unfolded!

TL;DR: A preliminary report on Air India Flight 171's crash near Ahmedabad suggests that mere seconds after takeoff on 12 June, both engine fuel-control switches were flipped to “cutoff,” cutting thrust and causing the aircraft to plummet—killing 260 people (241 onboard, 19 on the ground), with only one survivor. Cockpit-voice recordings captured confusion: the first officer asks, “Why did you cutoff?”, and the more senior pilot denies it. No mechanical faults found. Investigation is focusing on whether this was deliberate or accidental and debating whether cockpit cameras should be mandatory for future flights. Read on to unpack the full story and why it matters to all of us. ✊🛩️

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🧭 What the preliminary report reveals

  • At around 08:09 UTC on 12 June, VT‑ANB, a Boeing 787‑8, lost engine power seconds after liftoff because both engine fuel-control switches moved from RUN to CUTOFF just one second apart.

  • Cockpit-voice recording captured a tense exchange: “Why did you cut off?” followed by “I did not do so,” but neither pilot acknowledged moving the switch.

  • The crew tried flipping switches back to RUN within 10 seconds, partially restoring engines, but too late.

  • CCTV footage showed the ram air turbine (RAT) deployed—the backup power system—confirming a full loss of engine power.

  • Investigators found no mechanical defects in engines or aircraft systems; attention is squarely on human action.

🚨 Pilot at centre of storm

  • Reports suggest the senior pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, may have moved the switches—even though it's unclear if it was accidental, deliberate, or a tragic mistake.

  • US investigators are weighing in, hinting the action could trigger a criminal probe if intent is inferred.

  • Aviation experts stress that moving these locked switches requires deliberate action, making accidental shifts highly unlikely—odds are said to be “billions‑to‑one”.

🪂 Industry-wide safety debate rises

  • The crash reignited calls for mandatory cockpit video recorders. Aviation safety leaders argue visuals would clarify actions and mental state during emergencies.

  • Voice and data recorders alone leave gaps. A video recorder, experts say, could’ve resolved inconsistencies in cockpit communication.

  • But pilot unions worry about privacy violations—filming can feel invasive and could be misused.

🌍 Global fallout & inspections

  • Regulators in India, UAE, South Korea, and others are now inspecting Boeing 787 and 737 fuel switches.

  • Boeing and Air India are cooperating fully, but FAA emphasizes current safety and clarifies no directive deems Boeing jets inherently unsafe.

  • Investigations continue; a final report expected within a year.

💭 Why it matters to the common people

  1. Public Safety vs Pilot Privacy: Should we sacrifice cockpit privacy to prevent disasters?

  2. Mental health & accountability: Are pilots properly supported? Could stress disorders play a role?

  3. Systemic transparency: This tragedy spotlights the need for stronger checks, better training, and open investigations.

  4. Workers’ perspective: Aviation crew should not be scapegoated; we must push for fair, transparent processes, while ensuring safety for all.

✍️ MediaFx Opinion

From the people’s perspective, we must push for transparency and collective accountability—not blaming one worker villain, but reforming the system. Mandatory cabin video (only with strict privacy rules), better mental‑health care for pilots, and stronger safety audits are in our interest. The working class deserves the assurance that safe air travel is a right, not a privilege. 🛩️✊

✨Subscribe & React!✨

Comment below:

  • Do you support cockpit cameras with privacy safeguards?

  • Or do you think pilot privacy is too important?Let’s keep the conversation real. 🔥

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