Seems the two realistic options are a double failure of the lift guards on the engine fuel cutoff switches and an accidental movement of those to cutoff position just before V1. Or, an intentional act knowing that a double V1 cut dooms the flight.
Investigation will determine if the last crew flying or maintenance personnel can verify if there was any defect in the switches. If not, there’s not much else to consider than pilot error or intentional act. But pilot error seems implausible.
If it’s the switches, then all 787s need to be grounded until a mandatory AD is completed. We shouldn’t wait a year to find out either.
There may be other possibilities. The report said the engines had been quarantined, but I’m not sure they’ve been fully inspected. There might be further updates.
The reports I saw indicate from the preliminary report that the data recorder appeared to show that both engines were operating normally prior to the fuel cutoff. But you’re right, everything needs to be fully inspected and investigated.
Defect in the switches? What a dumb take. It's the first ever 787 crash of a plane with what? Hundreds of flights a day? Thousands? And never happened before. And then the pilot voice exchange about the switches. But no, Steve says we should ground all 787s.
“If” is a two letter word. I don’t think it’s the switch guards. But IF It is, then a mandatory AD is necessary. There’s apparently already a service recommendation to inspect.
The problem here is that the FAA only has US authority. They can force Boeing to make the change and issue an AD, but as with the safety bulletin, other countries don't have to comply.
The problem could be (and probably has been) corrected on new production planes, but a lot of old ones are still out there.
Seems the two realistic options are a double failure of the lift guards on the engine fuel cutoff switches and an accidental movement of those to cutoff position just before V1. Or, an intentional act knowing that a double V1 cut dooms the flight.
Investigation will determine if the last crew flying or maintenance personnel can verify if there was any defect in the switches. If not, there’s not much else to consider than pilot error or intentional act. But pilot error seems implausible.
If it’s the switches, then all 787s need to be grounded until a mandatory AD is completed. We shouldn’t wait a year to find out either.
There may be other possibilities. The report said the engines had been quarantined, but I’m not sure they’ve been fully inspected. There might be further updates.
The reports I saw indicate from the preliminary report that the data recorder appeared to show that both engines were operating normally prior to the fuel cutoff. But you’re right, everything needs to be fully inspected and investigated.
Defect in the switches? What a dumb take. It's the first ever 787 crash of a plane with what? Hundreds of flights a day? Thousands? And never happened before. And then the pilot voice exchange about the switches. But no, Steve says we should ground all 787s.
“If” is a two letter word. I don’t think it’s the switch guards. But IF It is, then a mandatory AD is necessary. There’s apparently already a service recommendation to inspect.
The problem here is that the FAA only has US authority. They can force Boeing to make the change and issue an AD, but as with the safety bulletin, other countries don't have to comply.
The problem could be (and probably has been) corrected on new production planes, but a lot of old ones are still out there.
Thanks for the analysis. I'm not suicidal but I am more convinced that I would not be a good pilot.