The speech could mean everything, or nothing, at this point. Transcription error on panicked speech? Pronoun confusion from a multilingual speaker? An actual extra person in the cockpit?
I’m more curious about the 4 second gap between turning the first and second switch back on.
Absolutely, Sam 4 seconds is an eternity in that phase of flight. In a high-stress environment right after takeoff, every second counts. Whether it was confusion, hesitation, or something else, that delay is just as puzzling as the switch-off itself.
As for the CVR exchange, it’s one of the most confusing parts of the report. It says:
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so.”
But this is paraphrased, not a direct quote. We don’t know who said what, when it was said (immediately after takeoff or once things started going wrong), or even what exactly was meant by “cutoff.” Was it about the switch position or engine behavior? Without full context, we’re left guessing and like you said, even the language or speaker nuance could have added confusion.
The wording, ("Why did he cut off the fuel?" / "I didn't do it"), suggests a third party. Do the rules about locked flight deck doors apply in India? Are they followed? Does the flight deck have a jump seat for a third person?
Good questions, Dean. Yes, Indian carriers follow ICAO standards, including locked cockpit doors. The 787 also has a jump seat, but the report doesn’t mention a third person. The phrasing is ambiguous, and without full CVR transcripts, we’re left speculating.
The phrase "Why did he cut off the fuel?" is strange. Was it a phrase translated into English for the report or was it spoken the English, the universal language of flight? Use of the word "he", who is he speaking to? Himself, ATC? If the latter, did they reply?
Great observation, Nigel and you’re right to question that line. Perhaps the most confusing clue in the preliminary report is this brief exchange:
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so.”
This snippet raises more questions than it answers. We don’t know who said what, when exactly the comment was made (immediately after takeoff or as the engine failed), or even whether it was a direct quote as the report paraphrases it. And it’s unclear whether they were referring to the fuel control switch position or the engine shutdown itself.
With so little context, it’s hard to interpret and we may never get full clarity unless the final report gives us a verbatim transcript.
The speech could mean everything, or nothing, at this point. Transcription error on panicked speech? Pronoun confusion from a multilingual speaker? An actual extra person in the cockpit?
I’m more curious about the 4 second gap between turning the first and second switch back on.
Absolutely, Sam 4 seconds is an eternity in that phase of flight. In a high-stress environment right after takeoff, every second counts. Whether it was confusion, hesitation, or something else, that delay is just as puzzling as the switch-off itself.
As for the CVR exchange, it’s one of the most confusing parts of the report. It says:
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so.”
But this is paraphrased, not a direct quote. We don’t know who said what, when it was said (immediately after takeoff or once things started going wrong), or even what exactly was meant by “cutoff.” Was it about the switch position or engine behavior? Without full context, we’re left guessing and like you said, even the language or speaker nuance could have added confusion.
The wording, ("Why did he cut off the fuel?" / "I didn't do it"), suggests a third party. Do the rules about locked flight deck doors apply in India? Are they followed? Does the flight deck have a jump seat for a third person?
Good questions, Dean. Yes, Indian carriers follow ICAO standards, including locked cockpit doors. The 787 also has a jump seat, but the report doesn’t mention a third person. The phrasing is ambiguous, and without full CVR transcripts, we’re left speculating.
The phrase "Why did he cut off the fuel?" is strange. Was it a phrase translated into English for the report or was it spoken the English, the universal language of flight? Use of the word "he", who is he speaking to? Himself, ATC? If the latter, did they reply?
Great observation, Nigel and you’re right to question that line. Perhaps the most confusing clue in the preliminary report is this brief exchange:
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so.”
This snippet raises more questions than it answers. We don’t know who said what, when exactly the comment was made (immediately after takeoff or as the engine failed), or even whether it was a direct quote as the report paraphrases it. And it’s unclear whether they were referring to the fuel control switch position or the engine shutdown itself.
With so little context, it’s hard to interpret and we may never get full clarity unless the final report gives us a verbatim transcript.
Every single person died (as well as others on the ground) except one survivor???
yes
Ugh!
Where are the restrooms?
ALL AROUND US, SAAR!