Deep Dive 3

 

Black Box Insights: The Fatal Reflex

The AAIB, with support from the U.S. NTSB and U.K. investigators, retrieved the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFRs) on June 16, 2025, and completed data analysis by June 25. The FDR, which records over 1,000 parameters, pinpointed the exact moment of the seat malfunction at 13:38:20 IST, during rotation (nose-up for takeoff). At this instant, the captain’s seat slid backward by approximately 30 cm, as indicated by accelerometer data synced with cockpit control inputs. Critically, the FDR shows Sabharwal’s hands were on the throttle levers, reducing them from 95% N1 (fan speed) to 10% (idle) within 1.2 seconds of the slide.

The CVR corroborates this, capturing a mechanical “click” (likely the locking pin fracturing) followed by Sabharwal’s startled exclamation, “What the—!” as the seat moved. The throttle reduction was not a deliberate action but a reflex triggered by his body weight shifting backward, pulling his arms with it. Aviation ergonomics expert Dr. Priya Menon told Reuters, “Sudden seat movement disrupts muscle memory. The captain’s reflex to grip the throttles for stability caused the fatal reduction.” Kundar’s attempt to push the throttles forward, recorded 2.3 seconds later, was too late, as the aircraft had already lost lift.