Washington DC, September 12
The lead US attorney, Mike Andrews, representing a majority of the families affected by the tragic AI171 plane crash, had filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking access to flight data recorder (FDR) information from the ill-fated flight, claiming new evidence that supports a water leak-induced short circuit theory as the cause of the crash and not pilot error.
Andrews has formally requested the FDR or black box data from relevant US authorities, arguing his available evidence increasingly suggests that a water leak from the aircraft's potable water system may have triggered an electrical short circuit, leading to critical system failures on board AI171.
He claimed that this short circuit could have caused the fuel control switches to shut down automatically, resulting in a catastrophic loss of propulsion, and not due to any error by the flight crew.
Andrews backed his claims by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing models such as 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 aeroplanes. The Air India plane which was involved in the crash on June 12 in Ahmedabad was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one mentioned in the FAA's directive.
The AD issued on May 14 warns about such issues based on multiple reports of water leakage from improperly installed waterline couplings, leading to moisture entering the electronics equipment (EE) bays, a critical area housing flight control systems and avionics.
"The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of water leakage from the potable water system due to improperly installed waterline couplings, and water leaking into the electronics equipment (EE) bays from above the floor in the main cabin, resulting in water on the equipment in the EE bays," the summary of the AD noted.
According to the FAA, such leaks "could cause the equipment in the EE bays to become wet, resulting in an electrical short and potential loss of system functions essential for safe flight."
The directive specifically mandates inspections of aircraft seat tracks above the EE bays for missing or deteriorated sealant, moisture barrier tape, or tape dams, all designed to prevent water intrusion.
"This AD requires an inspection of seat tracks above the EE bays for missing, damaged, or deteriorated sealant, moisture barrier tape, or tape dams, as applicable, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products," it added.
On June 12, Air India flight AI171, crashed shortly after it took off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India later released the preliminary report into the tragic crash, outlining the harrowing sequence of events that unfolded within 90 seconds of takeoff. It noted that both engines of the aircraft shut down unexpectedly during the initial climb, leading to a catastrophic loss of thrust and rapid descent.
The crash represents one of the deadliest aviation accidents in India in recent history.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some progress! The initial reports were quick to blame pilot error, but this FAA directive from May proves Boeing knew about this issue. Why weren't these inspections done before the June crash? ðŸ˜
As an aviation engineer, this makes complete sense. Water in EE bays is catastrophic. The FAA directive was issued for a reason - they had multiple reports. This wasn't a one-off incident.
My cousin was on that flight. For months we've been hearing it was pilot error. If this turns out to be true, it changes everything for the families seeking justice. The truth must come out.
While this theory seems plausible, let's not jump to conclusions before the FDR data is properly analyzed. Both Boeing and regulatory authorities need to work transparently to establish the actual cause.
This is why we need stronger aviation safety regulations in India. DGCA should mandate immediate inspections of all Dreamliners in Indian fleet. Can't risk another tragedy!
The timing is suspicious - FAA issues directive in May, crash happens in June. Was there enough time for airlines worldwide to conduct these inspections? Someone needs to answer this.
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