US Report Says Fuel Supply Was Switched Off in 2022 China Eastern Crash

A recent report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has shed new light on the tragic China Eastern Airlines crash of March 2022, suggesting a deliberate act may have led to the disaster. The NTSB's analysis of the flight data recorder indicates that the fuel supply to both engines was intentionally switched off before the Boeing 737-800 plunged into a mountainside, killing all 132 people on board. This finding, released in response to a freedom of information request, directly contradicts the lack of definitive conclusions from Chinese authorities.

The data revealed that at cruising altitude, the fuel switches for both engines were simultaneously moved from the 'run' position to the 'cutoff' position. This action would have led to engine failure. The NTSB's involvement stems from Boeing being an American manufacturer, leading to the black box being sent to their Washington lab for analysis. This international involvement highlights a potential divergence in investigative approaches and transparency compared to China's own regulatory bodies.

Significantly, Chinese regulators, including the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), have yet to release a comprehensive report on the crash, with no updates provided for over two years. This prolonged silence and lack of transparency have fueled speculation and frustration, particularly in the wake of the NTSB's findings. Neither the CAAC nor China Eastern Airlines responded to requests for comment from Reuters, further deepening the opacity surrounding the investigation.

From a global perspective, and particularly for aviation safety, such findings raise critical questions about the completeness and timeliness of accident investigations. The NTSB's report, while not a final determination of the cause, presents a stark possibility that has not been officially addressed by Chinese authorities. The contrast between the detailed data released by the NTSB and the continued reticence from Beijing underscores the importance of international cooperation and independent analysis in aviation accident investigations. The families of the victims, and indeed the global aviation community, deserve clear answers, which remain elusive due to the ongoing lack of a full report from China.

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It was found that while cruising at 29,000 feet, the fuel switches on both engines moved from the run position to the cutoff position. Engine speeds decreased after the fuel switch movement.