Fuel switches probed in Air India crash

The investigation on the June 12 crash of Air India flight 171 has narrowed its focus to the movement of the engine fuel control switches, according to reports

Boeing Dreamliner 787-8

13:30 local time: First recorded location on runaway

13.38: Last signal after takeoff

13:39: Plane crashes into doctors’ hostel, killing 241of 242 people on board and 19 others on ground

Ahmedabad
INDIA
AHMEDABAD
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
Sabarmati River
1km
0.6 miles

Fuel control: Two-position switches (RUN / CUTOFF) used on ground for engine start / shutdown, or in flight for manual shutdown or restart in event of engine failure

Switches guarded with brackets to prevent accidental movement

Thrust levers

Moving switch during flight cuts off fuel supply, shutting down engine

Stop lock mechanism requires pilot to lift switch before changing position

Sources: The Air Current, Reuters, Flightradar24
Picture: Getty Images
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