A chilling new theory has emerged around the deadly crash of Air India Flight 171, with aviation expert Captain Mohan Ranganathan alleging that the disaster may have been the result of a deliberate act by one of the pilots. His comments come in the wake of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report on the June 12 crash, which claimed the lives of 260 people, including 19 on the ground.
Expert flags manual fuel cut as suspicious
Captain Ranganathan, one of India’s most respected voices in aviation safety, highlighted that the aircraft’s fuel control switches were deliberately moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within seconds of takeoff. He emphasized that the design of these switches on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner makes accidental engagement nearly impossible.
“It cannot happen automatically or by turbulence. The pilot must physically pull and toggle the switches, which are guarded,” Ranganathan said.
Cockpit voice recordings reportedly captured an exchange between the two pilots, with one asking, “Why did you do it?” and the other denying responsibility. Ranganathan raised concerns over this ambiguity, questioning why the voices weren’t clearly attributed given standard cockpit recording practices.
One pilot may have had a medical history
Adding further weight to his claim, Ranganathan said he had received credible inputs from current Air India pilots indicating that one of the flight crew members had a medical condition and had been on extended leave prior to the crash.
“Many line pilots were aware of it. If management wasn’t, that would be surprising,” he added, urging investigators to probe not just recent health checks but the crew’s behavioral and psychological history over the past few months.
Although the AAIB report confirmed both pilots were medically certified at the time of flight, Ranganathan stressed that this certification does not account for mental wellness or stress-related issues.
Past incidents cited as parallels
Ranganathan pointed out that pilot-induced crashes, while rare, have occurred before. He referenced Germanwings Flight 9525, EgyptAir Flight 990, and others where mental health concerns were later linked to deliberate acts by cockpit crew.
The expert called out the lack of psychiatric assessments during pilot medical checks in India, criticizing both the airlines and the aviation regulator for neglecting this crucial aspect of flight safety.
“Pilots are being pushed to their limits. Fatigue, isolation, and lack of support systems are taking a toll. Treating pilots like machines will only increase such risks,” he warned.
Government calls for patience
Responding to media coverage and speculation surrounding the report, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu urged restraint, stating that the AAIB’s findings are still preliminary.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. The full facts will come out in the final report. Our pilots and crew are the backbone of Indian aviation, and their welfare is important,” Naidu stated.
While the investigation continues, the preliminary findings and expert insights have raised troubling questions about pilot mental health monitoring and cockpit protocols. The final report from the AAIB is expected to shed more light on the tragedy that has deeply shaken the Indian aviation sector.