The investigation into the June 12 Air India crash that killed 260 people is increasingly focusing on the two pilots, with recent media leaks pointing to their alleged role in shutting off engine fuel switches.
But for many aviation observers and professionals, this sudden spotlight on the crew feels more like a familiar deflection than a search for truth.
Many international media houses continuously suggest that the switches controlling fuel flow were found off shortly after takeoff, leading to a loss of thrust. But this narrative raises serious concerns.
According to pilots familiar with Boeing’s manuals, in the rare case of a dual engine flame-out, the standard emergency response involves turning off and restarting the fuel switches in an attempt to recover engine power. If the switches were moved, they were likely following protocol, not causing failure.
In fact, photographs reportedly show the switches in the ON position at the crash site. If the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) also failed to deploy as backup, it signals a deeper electrical or systemic failure. Boeing’s checklist doesn’t offer clear guidance for such a compound failure at low altitude, leaving the pilots with just seconds to react.
The narrative feels eerily similar to Boeing’s earlier attempt to blame pilots in the 737 Max disasters, before eventually admitting to software and design flaws. With over 1200 Dreamliners in use globally, deflecting attention from possible systemic issues with the 787 could have global implications.
This is not just a matter of assigning blame. It’s about understanding whether one of the world’s most flown aircraft is truly safe. The world deserves the full truth, and not selective leaks that place the weight of a massive failure on two men no longer alive to defend themselves.
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