Deep Dive Into Air India Flight 171

My Deep Dive Into Air India Flight 171

As many of you who follow me already know, I've been a nurse for over ten years now - but sometimes, I truly believe I must have been a pilot in another life. That's how much I love aviation, even though I don't travel as much as I'd like.

By now, we've all heard about the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12. I'm not going to rehash all the details - plenty of articles already cover what happened. But what really caught my attention were the preliminary reports suggesting the crash may have been caused by the fuel control panel shutting.

I've seen so many videos on social media, and even read reports quoting one pilot allegedly asking another:

"Why did you turn off the fuel control panel?" with the response: "I didn't."

That got me thinking: Could something else have caused the fuel panel to turn off? Could it have happened automatically? Being the curious person I am, I turned to one of my favorite research tools - my good friend ChatGPT and dug into how modern aircraft, specifically the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, handle fuel cutoff situations. What I found was fascinating - and yes, a little unsettling.

Here's the full conversation I had with ChatGPT:

Me: Do a deep search to find out the reasons a Boeing fuel control panel can turn off. Just give me the reasons list.

ChatGPT: Could you please clarify which Boeing aircraft model you're referring to (e.g., 737, 747, 777, 787), and whether you're asking about manual shutdown, automatic shutdown, or failure scenarios?

Me: 787-8 Dreamliner. Keep in mind that I am looking for manual, system error, or any time it can be turned off.

ChatGPT: Understood. I'll investigate all possible reasons the fuel control panel on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner might turn off - whether manually, due to system errors, or through other operational or failure scenarios.

ChatGPT reported the following findings:

- Crew manual shutoff

- Emergency dual-engine restart procedure

- Autostart abort logic

- Automatic safety cutoffs (FADEC/EEC protection logic)

- Engine fire handle activation

- Electrical power loss or reset

- Mechanical switch/lock failure

- Throttle Control Module faults

- Known software/avionics issues

- Maintenance and ground operations

Me: Elaborate on this more: Automatic safety cutoffs...

ChatGPT: Here's how the FADEC/EEC automatic fuel cutoff logic works on the Boeing 787-8:

What FADEC/EEC Monitors:

- N1/N2 rotor speeds

- EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature)

- Oil pressure and temperature

- Vibration levels

- Fuel flow and flame detection

- Start sequence inputs

If any critical limits are exceeded, the FADEC enters protective shutdown and commands the fuel shutoff valve closed. Signals and Actuation:

- The EEC sends a digital CLOSE command to the Fuel Metering Unit (FMU) or Hydromechanical Unit

(HMU), shutting off fuel.

Safeguards:

- Dual sensors for critical parameters

- Persistent fault validation to prevent false cutoffs

- Redundant FADEC channels

Example: The 2021 FAA/GE bulletin identified a faulty microprocessor (MN4) that could cause loss of fuel

metering signals, prompting the system to shut off fuel as a safety measure.

Me: Yes (to flowchart)

ChatGPT:

FADEC/EEC Cutoff Flowchart:

START -> Engine Running -> FADEC/EEC monitors:

-> Parameters in range? -> Yes -> Continue

-> No -> Identify issue -> Minor? -> Yes -> Log, continue

-> No -> Exceeds threshold? -> Yes -> Trigger shutdown:

-> Send CLOSE command -> Shutoff valve closes -> Engine shuts down

You: Give scenarios in which this can activate - including weather/heat.

ChatGPT:

- Hot day takeoff (>50°C): Causes EGT overlimit

- Hot start: Poor cooling on engine start

- Ash/sand ingestion: Triggers vibration or EGT fault

- Icing/heavy rain: Causes compressor stall/flameout

- Wind shear: Sudden airflow change causes stall/vibration

- Oil overheat from high ambient temps

- Bird strike/hail causes vibration spike

Me: Yes or no - can this system turn off the Boeing fuel panel during 111°F takeoff?

ChatGPT: YES - if critical limits are exceeded, FADEC can automatically shut down the engine and fuel control switch will move to OFF.

After reading this, I had to ask myself again: could this really happen? Could this play a role in an incident like Air India 171?

I'm not here to speculate or blame, but I do think we need more open discussion around

And again: ’m not a pilot. The only things I fly with wings are syringes and butterfly needles. But this deep dive left me with more questions than answers - and I'm hoping someone out there can help us learn even more

Stay Healthy,

Nurse Oliver