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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A preliminary investigation has found that a cut in the engine fuel supply caused the crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, killing 260 people
• The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau reported that the Boeing 787’s fuel control switches were moved to the “cutoff” position shortly after takeoff, starving both engines and causing the aircraft to lose power and crash into a hospital hostel
🔭 The context: Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed minutes after takeoff despite normal preflight checks, acceptable fuel quality, and proper aircraft weight
• Investigators retrieved cockpit voice and flight data recorders revealing that one pilot questioned the other about the cutoff, which neither claimed responsibility for
• The 56-year-old captain and 32-year-old first officer were both experienced
• Accidental activation of both fuel cutoff switches is considered extremely rare, as they are mechanically protected and designed to prevent inadvertent use
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The crash underscores ongoing safety and human factor challenges in global aviation — a sector crucial to enabling sustainable economic and social development but also under pressure to improve operational safety, resilience, and accountability
• Tragedies of this magnitude amplify calls for stronger training, equipment safeguards, and regulatory oversight, which are central to ensuring aviation’s role in a sustainable future
⏭️ What's next: Indian and international investigators will continue examining crew actions, cockpit ergonomics, and any possible technical or procedural failures
• The final report is expected to recommend design or training changes to prevent recurrence
Air India is cooperating fully while offering support to victims’ families
• The findings may also prompt Boeing and regulators to review protections on cockpit fuel controls across the Dreamliner fleet
💬 One quote: “Throughout the years, those switches have been improved to make sure that they cannot be accidentally moved … cases where all fuel switches are turned off accidentally are extremely rare.” — David Soucie, CNN aviation safety analyst
📈 One stat: 260 people were killed in the crash — including passengers, crew, and individuals on the ground — making it one of the deadliest air disasters in India’s history
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