A significant crash involving an Indian Airlines Boeing 787-8 occurred on the 12th of last month, resulting in 260 fatalities. The latest investigation indicates that the cause of the crash was clearly human error. Preliminary reports suggest that the pilots were panicked about who turned off the fuel switch, leading to a near-immediate stall after takeoff.

Former chairman of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, Sawant, stated that the report emphasizes that this was not an issue with the plane or engine itself; rather, it indicates that someone in the cockpit turned off the fuel supply. The key question now is whether this act was intentional or a mistake.

The preliminary report by the Indian Airlines Accident Investigation Bureau revealed that just seconds after takeoff, the fuel switch was suddenly cut off, causing both engines to lose power and resulting in the crash. Cabin recordings indicate that shortly after takeoff, one pilot asked another, 'Why was the fuel switch turned off?' to which the other replied that he had not done it. The call for help, 'Mayday Mayday,' was subsequently sent out.

At the crash site, both fuel switches were found to be in the 'on' position, with evidence suggesting both engines were attempted to be restarted, indicating the switch was likely turned off accidentally. However, experts stress that the fuel switch is not easily turned off. A former pilot noted, 'It is a lever-operated locking switch; you must pull it out first, then pull it down, and push it back, so it cannot be accidentally touched and turned off without conscious action.'

Adding to the complexity, any qualified pilot is aware of the consequences of shutting off the fuel switch. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify whether this incident resulted from mental confusion or was an intentional act. The investigation continues as we seek to understand how this tragic event occurred, being one of the most serious air disasters in India's recent history.