The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's preliminary report on the Air India flight 171 crash, which killed 260 people, has shed light on the disaster but left key questions unanswered.
The report found that the engine fuel switches 'transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec' three seconds after takeoff, causing loss of power and lift.
However, the report did not determine what caused the switches to move, whether it was human action, mechanical failure, or electronic malfunction.
Several factors have been ruled out, including weather, bird strike, aircraft configuration, weight and balance, fuel quality, and engine problems.
The voice recording reveals one pilot asked the other why he cut off fuel, and the colleague responded he did not, suggesting fuel cut-off may have been unintentional.
The crew made a valiant attempt to save the aircraft, but recovery was ultimately impossible due to insufficient time and altitude.
The preliminary report's findings could shift as more evidence emerges, and a final report determining probable cause and safety recommendations is yet to be released.
