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What is the fuel switch at the heart of the Air India crash investigation?
Sources briefed by U.S. officials on their early assessment of the evidence said that a cockpit recording of the dialogue between the two Air India pilots that led to the crash last month confirms that the captain stopped the fuel flow to the plane's engine. Here are some facts about the engine fuel switches. They describe their function in the aircraft, and how they moved on an Air India flight. What are fuel switches? These switches regulate the fuel flow to a plane's engine. Pilots use them to shut down engines or start engines manually on the ground. Experts in aviation say that a pilot could not accidentally move fuel switches feeding the engines. If moved, however, it would immediately cut off the engine's power. According to John Cox, an aviation safety expert from the United States, there are separate power systems and wirings for the fuel shutoff switches and fuel valves that they control. Where are the fuel switches located? The fuel control switches are located under the thrust levers on a Boeing 787-8, which is equipped with two GE engine in Air India's instance. The switches have a spring loaded mechanism that keeps them in place. The pilot must first lift the switch and then change it from cutoff to run. There are two different modes: 'CUTOFF" and "RUN". What happened on the fatal AIR INDIA flight? According to the flight recording, after a few seconds of takeoff, both switches were switched from "RUN" to "CUTOFF", one after the other, with a one-second time difference. The engines started to lose power as a result. On the cockpit voice recording, one pilot is heard asking the other pilot why he has cut off the fuel. The report stated that "the other pilot replied that he had not done so." The report failed to identify the remarks made by the captain of the flight and those by the first officer. Sources briefed about U.S. officials early assessment said that the first officer, who was in control of the 787 at the time, asked the captain to explain why he had moved the fuel switches so that they starved the engine of fuel. He then requested that the captain restore fuel flow. According to the preliminary report both switches were in the "RUN" position and found at the crash scene. The report stated that when fuel control switches from 'CUTOFF to RUN' are moved while the aircraft is flying, the control system of each engine automatically manages a sequence for relighting and restoring thrust, including ignition and fuel injection. John Nance, an aviation safety expert from the United States, said that "no sane person would turn off those switches in flight", especially when the plane was just beginning to climb. (Reporting from Abhijith Gaapavaram, New Delhi; Dan Catchpole, Seattle; editing by Jamie Freed).
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Air India's Boeing Dreamliner crash: Inside the cockpit
Sources briefed by U.S. officials on their early assessment of the evidence said that a cockpit recording of the dialogue between the two Air India pilots that led to the crash last month confirms that the captain stopped the fuel flow to the plane's engine. The sequence of events on June 12 is detailed in the preliminary investigation report by Indian investigators, released on July 12. Air India Dreamliner VTANB landed at Ahmedabad as AI423 at 05:47 GMT. 07:48 GMT - An aircraft was observed leaving Bay 34 of the airport. 07:55 GMT - Air traffic control granted the taxi clearance to the aircraft. A minute later, the aircraft taxiied from the bay via TaxiwayR4 and backtracked before lining up for takeoff. 08:02 GMT - The aircraft has been transferred from tower to ground control. Take-off clearance has been issued at 08:07 GMT. The aircraft began rolling at 08:07 GMT. Aircraft lifted off at 08:08 GMT. The report stated that "the aircraft air/ground sensor switched to air mode in accordance with liftoff." Aircraft reaches maximum airspeed of 180 knots at 08:08 GMT. "Immediately after, the Engine 1 fuel cutoff switch and Engine 2 fuel shutoff switch transitioned one by one from RUN to CUTOFF with a gap of 1 sec." The Engine N1 and N2 started to degrade from their takeoff values when the fuel supply was cut off. In the cockpit recording, one pilot is heard asking another why he cut off. "The other pilot replied that he didn't do it." The airport's CCTV footage shows that Ram Air Turbines (RATs) are deployed immediately after take-off during the initial climb. The aircraft began to lose height before crossing the perimeter wall of the airport. The RAT hydraulic pump started supplying power at 08:08 GMT. The fuel cutoff switch for Engine 1 has been changed from CUTOFF (stop) to RUN (run). The fuel cutoff switch for Engine 2 also changes from CUTOFF (stop) to RUN at 08:08 PM GMT. When fuel control switches from CUTOFF are changed to RUN during flight, the full authority dual engine controls (FADECs) of each engine automatically manage a relighting and thrust recovery sequence. Engine 1's core speed deceleration halted, reversed, and began to recover. Engine 2 could relight, but it was unable to stop core speed deceleration. Fuel was repeatedly added to the engine to increase core acceleration and recovery. The pilot who sent "MAYDAY Mayday Mayday" at 08:09 GMT. 08:09 GMT - Data recording has stopped. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Jamie Freed) 08:14.44 GMT - Crash Fire tender leaves the airport premises to rescue and fight fires. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed; Aditya Klra)
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What were the names of the two pilots that flew the Air India jet which crashed?
Sources briefed by U.S. officials on their early assessment of the evidence said that a cockpit recording of dialogue between two pilots of an Air India flight which crashed last month confirms that the captain stopped the fuel flow to the plane's engine. Here is a short profile of both pilots, based on media reports and the preliminary investigation report: CAPTAIN SUMEET SABHARWAL The 56-year old pilot had a valid airline transport pilot's license until May 14, 2026. He was cleared to fly in the role of pilot-in command on several aircraft, including the Boeing 787, 777 and Airbus A310. He has accumulated a total of 15,638 flying hours. Of these, 8,596 were spent on a Boeing 7. According to a report in the Times of India, Sabharwal called his family at the airport and assured them that he would call again once he landed in London. He was described as a gentleman by a pilot who briefly spoke with him. FIRST OFFICER CLIVE KUNDER The 32-year old had a commercial license that was issued in the year 2020 and was valid until 26 September 2025. He was cleared to fly the Cessna 172, Piper PA-34 Seneca and Airbus A320 as well as Boeing 787 as a co-pilot. His total flying time was 3,403 hrs. One-hundred and twenty eight hours were spent as a copilot on a 787. Indian media, citing his family, reported that Kunder has been a passionate flyer since his school days. In 2012, he began working as a pilot. He joined Air India as a pilot in 2017. Reporting by Abhijith and Adityakalra, editing by Jamie Freed
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The key events of the Air India crash investigation
Sources briefed by U.S. officials on their early assessment of the evidence said that a cockpit recording of dialogue between two pilots of an Air India flight which crashed last month confirms that the captain stopped the fuel flow to the plane's engine. The timeline below shows the key events of the investigation so far: JUNE 12 Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner headed for London crashed shortly after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing all 242 passengers on board except one. JUNE 13 India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau launches an investigation in the deadliest aircraft crash of the past decade. The team includes an aviation medicine expert, an air traffic controller, and representatives of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. Boeing 787 jets are equipped with two GE recorders. One is installed in the front of the jet and the other at the back. Both aircraft have a cockpit data recorder as well as a voice recorder. A black box is recovered on the roof of a nearby building. JUNE 16 The second blackbox unit was recovered from the debris on the crash site. JUNE 24 Indian Air Force aircraft transported the two black boxes separately from Ahmedabad, India to an AAIB laboratory in Delhi. The team, led by the AAIB Director General and technical members of AAIB and NTSB, began the data extraction in the evening. JUNE 25 The data from the memory module of the black box unit at the front end of the aircraft was successfully downloaded. If the power source of the aircraft is lost, the forward recorder has an independent power supply which provides power for the device for approximately 10 minutes. JULY 12 The preliminary report of Indian investigators indicated that there was no recommendation to Boeing or GE for this stage. This indicates a fault with the aircraft or engine is unlikely. The report said that one pilot could be heard asking the other pilot on the cockpit recording why he had cut off the gas. The report stated that "the other pilot replied that he had not done so." The crash report did not specify which flight captain made the remarks and which first officer. Nor did it identify which pilot sent out "Mayday Mayday Mayday" before the crash. Within a year after the crash, a final report will be expected. JULY 16 The Wall Street Journal reported that the first officer who was piloting the plane asked the captain, who had more experience, why he put the fuel switches in the "cutoff position" seconds after the plane lifted off the runway. JULY 17 In a press release, the AAIB stated that "certain sections in international media have repeatedly attempted to draw conclusions by using selective and unverified reports." The AAIB added that the investigation is ongoing and it's too early to make definitive conclusions. A spokesperson for the board said that the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board was assisting in the Air India investigation, and its chair Jennifer Homendy had been fully briefed about all aspects. The spokesperson said that this included the cockpit voice recordings and the details from the flight recorder, which the NTSB helped the AAIB to read out. Reporting by Abhijith Ganahapavaram, New Delhi. Editing by Jamie Freed
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WSJ reports that Union Pacific is exploring a deal to purchase Norfolk Southern.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Union Pacific was looking at a deal with rival Norfolk Southern. This merger could be a game changer for the industry and attract intense regulatory scrutiny. Norfolk's shares grew 4% in extended trade. The Journal, citing sources familiar with the situation, said that the talks were in an early stage, and there was no guarantee they would lead to a deal or regulatory approval. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have not responded to comments immediately. The acquisition could create a railroad titan with a combined value of around $200 billion. This would further consolidate an industry which has shrunk over the last several decades from dozens to a few major carriers. Semafor had reported that Morgan Stanley and Union Pacific were exploring the possibility of an acquisition by a competitor. Could not confirm immediately either report. Surface Transportation Board, a regulatory agency that oversees railroads, would have to approve a deal of this magnitude. The deal would also need to be supported by the unions of workers. The STB approved Canadian Pacific’s $31 billion purchase of Kansas City Southern by 2023, with multiple conditions. This was the most stringent regulatory oversight ever placed on a major rail merger. (Reporting and editing by Devika Syamnath in Bengaluru)
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S&P 500 and Nasdaq close at record levels as earnings, data point to consumer strength
Investors praised strong economic data, and earnings reports showed that American consumers were willing to spend. Six of the last seven Nasdaq sessions ended with a record-high, while the S&P 500 had six top finishes since June 27, Preliminary data shows that the S&P 500 rose 35.32 points or 0.56% to 6,299.02, and the Nasdaq Composite rose 157.25 or 0.76% to 20,887.74. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 247.64, or 0.56% to 44,502.42. Wall Street is on a good run after it fell in early April following President Donald Trump’s announcements about Liberation Day tariffs. The week of April 8th was seen as the test for these gains, with several key economic reports being released and the beginning of second quarter earnings season. The economic data and earnings reports of corporations "show that the economy is still very solid and therefore markets were able to grind up this week, with some data supporting where we're going," said Anthony Saglimbene. Chief market strategist at Ameriprise Financial. Data released on Thursday showed that U.S. retails sales rebounded sharply in the month of June. Investors saw renewed consumer confidence and economic momentum after mixed inflation data that showed both a stalling of producer prices and an increase in consumer inflation during the same month. Investors are watching to see if Trump's tariff policy is starting to affect the U.S. economic system. Federal Reserve officials have indicated that they will not cut interest rates until they can assess the inflationary effects of higher import taxes. Adriana Kugler of the Fed said that rate cuts will be on hold until Trump's tariffs start to increase consumer prices. According to CME's FedWatch, traders now place the odds at just over 54% for a rate cut in September. A move in July is almost ruled out. Positive comments from companies that cater to American consumers accompanied the strong retail sales. PepsiCo's stock jumped following a forecast of positive results. Demand for energy drinks, and healthier sodas helped offset concerns over a decline in core profit. United Airlines has gained since the carrier forecast stronger demand in early July. This is a rare positive sign for an industry that's been strained by Trump budget cuts and trade tensions. Delta Airlines and American Airlines are also climbing. The technology stocks, and in particular U.S. chipsmakers, were also boosted after TSMC posted a record quarter profit. The company, which is the world's largest producer of AI chips, said that demand for artificial intelligence has been increasing. TSMC shares listed in the U.S. as well as Marvell and Nvidia gained. Ameriprise's Saglimbene says the TSMC earnings explosion bodes well for chipmakers as well as the technology sector. "Before the Big Tech earnings are released in the next two weeks, the sole source of production for those chips (AI) is stating that their demand is extremely high. The set-up is positive for Big Tech, and that's why technology is dominating the news today," he said. (Reporting from Pranav Kashyap in Bengaluru, Nikhil Sharma and David French in New York. Editing by Maju Sam and David Gregorio.
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Russian crew member of a ship sunk in Yemen by Houthi militants is being treated.
According to a Russian source, the state news agency RIA reported on Thursday that a Russian crew member from a Greek cargo vessel sunk by Houthi terrorists was receiving treatment in Yemen. RIA identified Aleksei Galactikov as the Russian mariner. He was one of the crew members picked up after the sinking by the Yemeni Navy. The report quoted a high-ranking source who said that the man's condition had improved significantly since the attack. Sources in maritime security had reported earlier that 10 mariners, eight crew members and 2 security guards, had been rescued. They were taken to Saudi Arabia. Sources said that all of the crew except one Russian were Filipinos. Sources said that the Iran-aligned Houthis sank the Liberia flagged Eternity C with 22 crew members and three armed guards aboard, after attacking it with sea drones, rocket-propelled grenades and over two consecutive days. A private search for the remaining 15 passengers on board was called off. Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched more than 100 attacks on ships in an apparent act of solidarity to the Palestinians during the Gaza War. (Reporting by ; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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US Transport chief on California high speed rail: "We have to stop it"
U.S. Transportation secretary Sean Duffy is confident that the administration will win any lawsuits challenging the department's decisions to rescind the $4 billion of U.S. Government funding for California's High-Speed Rail Project. "I wish that it had gone to California. We supported the California project but it will cost more than $130 billion, and there is no funding plan or timeline for completion. Duffy told reporters in front of the department's HQ that "we have to pull out the plug". California High-Speed Rail System (California High-Speed Rail System) is a two-phase 800-mile (1,287-km) system that will connect San Francisco with Los Angeles and Anaheim. In the second phase it will extend north to Sacramento, and south to San Diego. Officials in California called the action illegal. The latest clash between the Republican Administration of President Donald Trump and California has been over the transgender athletes' rights, electric vehicle regulations, and the use of National Guard soldiers during protests in Los Angeles. Last month, the Federal Railroad Administration released a 315 page report citing missed timelines, budget shortages and questionable projections of ridership. The San Francisco to Los Angeles project, originally estimated to cost $33 billion by 2020, has now increased from $89 billion up to $128 billion. California High-Speed Rail Authority stated that it is "fast approaching the track-laying stage, with 171 mile under active construction and designing, 15,500 new jobs created, as well as more than 50 major structural structures completed." In 2008, voters approved $10 billion for this project. Former President Joe Biden's Transportation Department awarded the project approximately $4 billion. Biden, in 2021 restored the $929 million grant that Trump had revoked for California's high speed rail system.
New horizons however same old problems for LME warehousing: Andy Home
The London Metal Exchange ( LME) has actually just listed the Saudi Arabian port of Jeddah as a great delivery area for copper and zinc. This addition to the LME's global delivery network, which ends up being reliable three months after the approval of the very first warehouse, is the first new listing considering that Amsterdam in 2018. The exchange is likewise checking out the possibility of including Hong Kong to the list, no doubt hoping that its owner Hong Kong Exchanges and Cleaning (HKEx) can assist overcome the Chinese authorities' historic resistance to LME warehouses.
New areas might provide a booster for a warehouse network that has seen capacity contract and the variety of operators decline over the last ten years.
Nevertheless, old issues continue.
There was a 253-day line to load aluminium out of LME warehouses in Malaysia's Port Klang at the end of June, the longest waiting time considering that November 2016.
The LME storage organization likewise remains extremely concentrated with 4 dominant operators, a prospective problem when among them is dealing with an unsure future.
SHRINKING SPACE
Total LME signed up storage capability at the end of June was 3.3 million square metres, down from 4.3 million three years ago.
The pace of net shrinking slowed to 44,000 square metres over the last year and the downtrend shows indications of bottoming out. The number of registered storage facilities grew by 15 units to 468 after being up to a multi-year low in June 2023.
The three-year decline in registered capacity reflected a. duration of low exchange stocks as combined called for and shadow. off-warrant stock fell below one million metric tons over. the second half of 2022.
Stocks have considering that increased to 2.3 million since completion of May,. although inflows have actually been securely concentrated on simply a. handful of places. Russian aluminium has built up in the South Korean port of. Gwangyang, while non-Russian aluminium has been dumped in Port. Klang. This year's heavy inflows of both lead and zinc have. mostly ended up at Singapore warehouses.
All 3 places have bucked the trend of declining. storage capacity over the in 2015 and ISTIM UK Ltd's. extra 11 warehouse systems at Port Klang were the single. biggest part of the wider year-on-year increase.
SIGN UP WITH THE QUEUE
Rent-sharing is the common measure behind this year's. big deliveries of metal into the LME system. Such offers enable. the entity that calls for the metal to make a piece of the future. rental earnings.
The purchaser of that metal might be naturally hesitant to. pay rent to a prospective competitor but the only method to leave. the contract is to physically fill the metal out and provide it. to another warehouse business.
The bigger the initial warranting, the higher the. potential for a line. ISTIM warehouses in Port Klang received. 652,525 tons of aluminium in May. The cancellations started practically. instantly as buyers looked to move their metal. ISTIM had. 505,050 tons awaiting physical load-out by the end of June.
It's an echo of the 2010s, when the LME's load-out issues. triggered user outrage and drew the unwelcome attention of U.S. regulators, who would like to know why it would take 702 days to. take physical delivery from LME warehouses in Detroit.
Subsequent reforms to the LME system imply that such. self-perpetuating super-queues are no longer possible. What we. get now are what the exchange calls functional lines.
Which might not be much convenience for those late to the. aluminium logjam in Malaysia. They're not likely to see their. metal up until this time next year.
DOMINANT FOUR
ISTIM's capability to draw in such big tonnages to its. warehouses has actually made it a dominant presence in the LME delivery. system. The company was keeping 55% of all necessitated LME stocks. at the end of June.
The other 3 major gamers are Access World, C. Steinweg. and the Pacorini Group. In between them they were saving 92% of. total stock at the end of June and they presently account. for 344 of the overall 468 systems listed internationally.
This is likewise a throw-back to the last decade, when Metro. International, then owned by Goldman Sachs,. industrialised the queue model and constructed a dominant LME storage. position in Detroit.
Access World, gotten by Glencore in 2010, did the. exact same in the Dutch port of Vlissingen, creating a load-out. line of 771 days at one phase.
Smaller sized operators struggled to contend then, and clearly. they still do. Numerous who signed up with the LME warehouse company in. hope of getting a piece of the line action in the 2010s have. considering that withdrawn.
The variety of LME-registered warehouse operators has. declined from 36 to 25 over the last five years and that. consists of 9 that use LME services in a single location.
STORAGE FACILITY FOR (RE) SALE
The unsure status of Access World highlights the problems. that can be caused when LME stocks are focused in such a. small swimming pool of warehouse operators.
Glencore believed it had actually offered the business to Global Capital. Merchants (GCM), a company registered in the British Virgin. Islands, in 2022. Nevertheless, Access World is back on the sales block after the. purchasers stopped working to make full payment and Glencore is reportedly. hunting for new prospective owners.
Gain access to World warehouses held practically 12% of LME on-warrant. stocks at the end of June.
A DECADE OF REFORM
The LME, to its credit, has invested a great deal of time and effort. attempting to ravel the numerous wrinkles in its delivery system,. which - like whatever else on the 147-year-old exchange - is. rather unique from what you would discover in any other futures. market.
The queues have actually never ever truly disappeared however several tweaks. of the rule-book have at least constrained them and the amount. of cash that can be made from them.
The exchange has actually likewise massively boosted transparency around. its delivery network. A day-to-day registered stocks report has been. supplemented with month-to-month updates on off-warrant stocks, stocks. by warehouse operator and, obviously, queue length. This column. has actually drawn heavily on all of them.
Yet, simply just how much more efficient is the LME's shipment. network after a decade of reform?
A restricted number of operators still appear to control the. on-warrant storage service and 253 days is still a long time to. wait to get your metal.
The viewpoints expressed here are those of the author, a. columnist
(source: Reuters)