Cockpit Recording Suggests Captain's Role in Fuel Cutoff, Sparking Controversy

A cockpit recording from the recent Air India flight crash reveals a critical detail. The captain appears to have switched off the controls that regulated fuel to the aircraft's engines. This information comes from a report published by the Wall Street Journal.

The first officer, who was piloting the Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the time, questioned the captain's action. The report indicates that the first officer expressed surprise and then became panicked. In contrast, the captain reportedly remained composed.

Authorities including India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Boeing, and Air India have yet to release any official statements. The pilots involved were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, with extensive flying experience between them.

A preliminary report released earlier raised questions about the engine fuel cutoff switches. This has fueled debate over whether the action was deliberate or unintentional, drawing criticism from pilot associations.

Pilot associations have voiced concerns about the preliminary report, suggesting a bias towards pilot error. They are calling for a transparent investigation and urging against premature conclusions. They emphasize that the crew acted in accordance with their training and responsibilities. The associations are also cautioning against speculation until the official investigation is complete.