New details from the investigation into last month's Air India crash suggest the aircraft's captain may have manually disabled engine fuel systems mid-flight, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Cockpit voice recordings reveal First Officer Clive Kunder questioned Captain Sumeet Sabharwal after he moved fuel control switches to the "cutoff" position shortly after takeoff, sources familiar with the probe told the newspaper.
The first officer reportedly expressed alarm at the action, while the captain remained composed during the exchange. Both pilots had significant flying experience – 15,638 hours for Sabharwal and 3,403 for Kunder – raising questions about potential human factors in the incident.
Aviation authorities and Boeing have yet to comment on the findings as the investigation continues. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in aviation safety protocols and crew resource management, particularly during critical flight phases.
Analysts note this development could renew discussions about pilot training standards and cockpit decision-making processes across Asian aviation markets. The crash probe remains a focal point for regulators and airlines seeking to improve regional air safety records.
