By Bikram Vohra
The fuel switches in the flight deck were set to RUN at takeoff and remained on RUN when the plane crashed.
This makes for an extreme case where these physical manifestations of the system never moved. That instead, either the microsensors that connect to the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) glitched and that started the 10 seconds of twin engine shut down and then reignited on their own. A flicker no more. It can happen on any electrical grid. Else, the computer malfunctioned and then corrected itself. Nothing in the world is fail-safe.
To bolster the argument that the parallel system flaw in 2019 was a problem, as widely reported, ANA had an issue with the switches on a 787, and neither pilot had touched the switches as they came in for a landing. Both engines flamed out, but they managed to land her.
Nothing to do with the two protrusions in the cockpit that did not budge because they were superfluous to the shutdown.
Quote: FADEC has complete control over the engine’s operation, including fuel flow, ignition timing, and other critical parameters.
Psssstt: full authority!!!!!!!!
Also, the May 15 advisory in the UK refers to the fuel valves having problems, not the switches. There you are, a door opens.
So AAIB PLAY THE TAPE.
Let’s hear the clicks on the super-sensitive cams in the flight deck proving they were moved.
Let’s hear the full transcript of the CVR.
Clear the air. Restore confidence, restore reputation. Stop with the drama
No line pilot is buying the pilot error angle. So do global aviation a favour and be fair.
Bikram Vohra is the Consulting Editor of Indian Aerospace & Defence.
