**Mystery Deepens in Air India Flight 171 Crash Investigation**

The Air India Flight 171 investigation uncovers chilling cockpit audio, pointing to a mysterious dual engine failure shortly after takeoff.

The preliminary investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171, which resulted in the loss of 260 lives in June, has unearthed disturbing preliminary findings that increase the enigma surrounding this aviation disaster. Soon after taking off, both fuel-control switches of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner moved to the "cut-off" position, which starved the engines of fuel. This rare occurrence, usually only executed after landing, has captured the attention of investigators trying to discern the initial moments before the aircraft crashed into a densely populated area in Ahmedabad, India.

Cockpit voice recordings have revealed an unsettling exchange between the two pilots, during which one questioned the other about the reasoning for the switch’s cut-off activation. The reply left unclear who was responsible for the action, creating speculation about the conditions in the cockpit at the time. Reports indicate that the aircraft, once airborne for merely 40 seconds, ascended to 625 feet before losing location data shortly thereafter.

The crash site is currently under thorough examination by a team composed of Indian aviation authorities along with experts from Boeing and General Electric, among others. The findings have raised significant questions, particularly regarding the operation of the lever-lock fuel switches that are engineered to prevent accidental activation. Aviation expert Shawn Pruchnicki cautioned that the anomalies in the flight behavior require careful scrutiny. "If a pilot was indeed responsible for the switches, it raises critical questions about intent versus confusion," he stated.

Alarmingly, the investigation has revealed that both pilots performed adequately prior to boarding the ill-fated flight and underwent necessary breathalyser tests. Further examination of the cockpit voice recordings highlighted the urgency for clearer audio identity and transcripts of pilot communications throughout the flight timeline. Former NTSB director Peter Goelz emphasized the necessity for potential cockpit video recordings that would clarify who manipulated the fuel control switches during the critical moments before the crash.

A previous FAA advisory regarding fuel control switch installations, while not deemed urgent for direct action, has drawn attention due to the switch design utilized in both Boeing 787 and 737 models. This raises ponderings about a physical fault with the switches that could contribute to the aircraft’s shutdown.

The aircraft’s deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a sign of significant system failure, further complicates the picture. This essential emergency backup was triggered when both engines lost power, signifying the gravity of the incident. Experts have dismissed fuel contamination as a plausible explanation while stating that mechanical failure requires further investigation. The inability of the pilots to retract the landing gear during the emergency process suggests sheer chaos and urgency onboard.

Investigators have stated that dual engine failure led to inadequate thrust for recovery as attempts were made to reignite the engines, which ultimately proved to be futile. The tragic incident emphasizes the critical importance of understanding the chain of events that unfolded, with experts remaining focused on uncovering the truths held within the cockpit records of Flight 171.