New Data Suggests China Eastern Airlines Crash Resulted from 'Conscious Decision' to Cut Fuel

Rzeczpospolita reports on new, alarming data concerning the tragic crash of a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737 that claimed the lives of 132 individuals. The latest findings from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) point towards a "conscious decision" to shut off fuel supply to both engines, a maneuver that led the aircraft to plummet from 29,000 feet.

This revelation is particularly significant given that Chinese aviation authorities had previously failed to release progress reports on their investigation, even on the fourth anniversary of the disaster. The NTSB's data, obtained from the flight data recorder, indicates that the fuel switches were deliberately moved from the 'run' to the 'cutoff' position, a deliberate action by the pilots that would cause engine failure.

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Stwierdzono, że podczas lotu na wysokości 29 000 stóp przełączniki paliwa obu silników zostały przestawione z pozycji »run« do »cutoff«. Po tym zdarzeniu obroty silników zaczęły spadać

From a Polish perspective, this news is deeply concerning. While the article notes that such deliberate actions by pilots are rare, the memory of the Germanwings crash in 2015, where a co-pilot intentionally crashed the plane, remains a stark reminder of the potential for human error or intent to cause catastrophic loss of life. The lack of transparency from Chinese authorities in their investigation only adds to the gravity of the situation, raising questions about accountability and the thoroughness of safety protocols in one of the world's largest aviation markets. The international community, including Poland, relies on transparent accident investigations to ensure global aviation safety, and any perceived lack of openness is a cause for concern.

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Przełączniki paliwa w Boeingach 737 są bowiem mechanicznym elementem sterującym dopływem paliwa do silników; ich przestawienie z pozycji „run” do „cutoff” wymaga świadomego działania pilota.