Unraveling the Mystery: Initial Findings Offer Relief Amidst Tragedy
Investigation Reveals Probable Cause of Recent Aviation Incident
Shares of Boeing experienced an uptick at the start of the week, following the weekend release of an initial report concerning last month's Air India crash. This unfortunate event resulted in the loss of over 250 lives, both onboard and on the ground.
Aerospace Giants Spared from New Safety Directives
A positive outcome for both Boeing and GE Aerospace, the manufacturer of the engines for the ill-fated Boeing 787, is that the preliminary assessment from the Indian safety authority did not propose any new safety protocols for either the aircraft operators or the engine producers.
Fuel Cutoff Switches Identified as Primary Factor in Accident
The investigation's findings point to the accidental activation of two fuel cutoff switches, which transitioned from the "run" to the "cutoff" position, thereby interrupting the fuel supply to the engines, as the probable cause of the crash. The report did not clarify how or why these switches were moved, noting that one pilot was heard questioning the other about the switch positions, to which the second pilot denied making any changes.
Crucial Actions Taken Too Late to Avert Disaster
Despite the switches being returned to their correct positions, restoring fuel to the engines, the report highlighted that this corrective action occurred too late for the aircraft to regain sufficient altitude. Consequently, the plane collided with trees and structures on the ground.
Final Moments Before Impact Documented
According to the report, the period between the aircraft reaching its peak speed, the inadvertent activation of the switches, and the cessation of the cockpit recording at the moment of impact was approximately 30 seconds.
Regulators Reaffirm Safety of Fuel Switch Design
In related developments over the weekend, both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing informed airlines that the current design of the fuel switch locks did not present any safety concerns, as reported by Reuters and the BBC. It's worth noting that in December 2018, the FAA had advised, though not mandated, airlines to inspect these switches to prevent accidental activation.
Market Responds Positively to Report's Implications
In response to the preliminary report, shares for both Boeing and GE Aerospace each saw an increase of approximately 1% in Monday morning trading.