Air India 171 rash

if the engine is on fire, you need to cut off the fuel quickly. But maybe a two step process would be better. Then again, if these things cut off easy, why isn't this happening more often?

I wonder if it could be as simple as a loose connection. The wires behind the dash weren't soldered properly. I have this light switch in the wash room that likes to flicker off and on sometimes when I move it.

I may never fix it, but hey it doesn't keep a plane flying.

Quote: missedhervee

Quote: rxwine

I'm no engineer but to my untrained eye those switches seem to be poorly, indeed dangerously located beneath the throttle controls.

I wonder: could the pilot have accidentally flipped both of them when he took his hands off the throttle controls, i.e. perhaps his hands dropped and swiped against them?

Then again, must they be toggled horizontally or vertically to shut off the engines?

The answer is no that they could not have been accidentally bumped to the incorrect position. On the 787, you must pull the switch out to toggle it up or down and then release it where it locks back into place. The switches were also toggled approximately one second apart that would also lead me to believe it was not accidental.

Quote: rxwine

I wonder if it could be as simple as a loose connection. The wires behind the dash weren't soldered properly. I have this light switch in the wash room that likes to flicker off and on sometimes when I move it.

I may never fix it, but hey it doesn't keep a plane flying.

Very unlikely as each switch is independent and they were toggled about one second apart. I think if t waj just one switch that went off t=your scenario would be much more likely.

Quote: DRich

Very unlikely as each switch is independent and they were toggled about one second apart. I think if t waj just one switch that went off t=your scenario would be much more likely.

It's getting hard to rule out suicide.

I assume we know the switches moved because it was mentioned in the cockpit audio. Unless the switches can move on their own.

There are some drugs legal and illegal that can cause people to do completely crazy things when they kick in. Seems unlikely due to the intense fire they will find anything in the pilot remains though. Spouse could even been the one trying to kill her husband with something.

Assume it was suicide: the perp was either the pilot or co-pilot.

Why would a suicidal pilot either (a) ask "why did you flip the switch?" or (b) deny having done so?

I ask because by then the damage had been done and fiery death was mere seconds away.

Why try to inject uncertainty for the ensuing investigation?

Quote: missedhervee

Assume it was suicide: the perp was either the pilot or co-pilot.

Why would a suicidal pilot either (a) ask "why did you flip the switch?" or (b) deny having done so?

I ask because by then the damage had been done and fiery death was mere seconds away.

Why try to inject uncertainty for the ensuing investigation?

Life insurance?

It’s also made me consider why the family might not want say anything if a lot of money is at stake. I’m not sure what kind of crazy family would be in on death for cash killing.a whole plane load of people where the dad kills himself. Mob wanted him to pay up or else???