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EAFR, RAM, RUN vs CUTOFF: What's the meaning of terms used in Air India crash report? Know here

EAFR, RAM, RUN vs CUTOFF: What's the meaning of terms used in Air India crash report? Know here

EAFR, RAM, RUN vs CUTOFF: What's the meaning of terms used in Air India crash report? Know here Photograph: (Reuters)

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The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIM) released the investigation report on Saturday (July 12) regarding the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The report used various technical terminologies: EAFR, RAM, RUN, and CUTOFF. Let's understand the meaning of these terms.

 

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIM) released the investigation report on Saturday (July 12) regarding the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. The AI 171 crash in which 260 people were killed, including the medical students of the college where the plane crashed. The preliminary report, around 15 pages, was released a month after the deadly crash. The report has revealed details around all the important aspects of the crash.

The report used various technical terminologies: EAFR, RAM, RUN, and CUTOFF. Let's understand the meaning of these terms.

EAFR (Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder): The report said that the aircraft had two EAFR's - which combine traditional “black box” functions into single units recording both flight data and cockpit voice communications.

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RUN vs CUTOFF: The report said that both moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” within one second of the takeoff. Investigators still don’t know what caused this movement.

RAM Air Turbine (RAT): When both the engines of the aircraft fail, this emergency windmill starts automatically to provide backup electrical and hydraulic power.

V1, Vr, and V2 speeds: Critical take-off velocities that determine aircraft capabilities. V1 (153 knots) is the decision speed beyond which takeoff must continue; Vr (155 knots) is the rotation speed for liftoff; V2 (162 knots) is the safe climbing speed.

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Pilot's fault or 'chip malfunction'?

Talking to the news agency Reuters, former pilot and senior lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University, Marco Chan, said it could be the result of a chip malfunction rather than human error. He points to a previously issued service bulletin from the engine manufacturer advising maintenance of a flawed chip to prevent signal loss.

“I believe the FAA has - together with GE, General Electric, the engine manufacturer - has issued a service bulletin, i.e. I believe it was about 11,000 cycles, they will have to replace the chip. And if it is not replaced or maintenance isn't done correctly, it could lead to intermittent loss of signal. Once you have a loss of signal, the fuel isn’t commanded, i.e. in the CUTOFF position, then there's no fuel going to the engine," Chan said, Reuters reported.

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Gulshan Parveen

Passionate about international politics and social issues, Gulshan analyses key global events, from geopolitical conflicts and US politics to international diplomacy and social mov...Read More

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