https://newsanalysisindia.com The news you need to know, explained Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://newsanalysisindia.com/india/dhalla-premature-to-blame-pilots-in-air-india-crash-startle-effect-possible/ Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 http://newsanalysisindia.local/dhalla-premature-to-blame-pilots-in-air-india-crash-startle-effect-possible/ Former DGCA Flight Operations Inspector Captain Prashant Dhalla has cautioned against prematurely attributing the Air India flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad to pilot error. Dhalla suggests the ‘startle effect’ could have played a role in the incident, particularly in light of the preliminary report’s mention of a deployed Ram Air Turbine (RAT). He theorizes that pilots, faced with potential technical issues, may have inadvertently taken actions that contributed to the crash. Dhalla emphasized the need to examine all factors, including potential electrical failures and cockpit confusion, before drawing conclusions. He also highlighted the protective mechanisms on fuel switches and the importance of the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcript. He noted the critical time constraints faced by the pilots, operating at low altitude while dealing with the emergency and contacting Air Traffic Control (ATC).

]]> https://newsanalysisindia.com/india/dhalla-premature-to-blame-pilot-error-in-air-india-crash/ Sat, 12 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000 http://newsanalysisindia.local/dhalla-premature-to-blame-pilot-error-in-air-india-crash/ Former DGCA Flight Operations Inspector Captain Prashant Dhalla has cautioned against prematurely attributing the Air India flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad to pilot error. Dhalla, discussing the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), highlighted the possibility of a ‘startle effect’ influencing pilot actions following the reported deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT). He suggested pilots might have been attempting to manage the engines in response to potential technical issues. While acknowledging the possibility of human factors, Dhalla emphasized that it is too early to definitively conclude pilot error. He also pointed out the safety features of fuel switches, designed to prevent accidental shutoff, and the need for the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcript to be released to the public. Dhalla indicated that the pilots’ actions suggested engine-related issues and stressed the critical time constraints faced by pilots in such emergencies, especially at low altitudes.

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