Fuel Cutoff Confusion: The Air India 171 Report, TSA Tales & Hotel Life

Fuel Cutoff Confusion: The Air India 171 Report, TSA Tales & Hotel Life

Author: The Black Box July 14, 2025 Duration: 1:06:04

In Episode 28 of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike dive deep into the just-released preliminary report on Air India Flight 171, the tragic 787 crash out of Ahmedabad. What initially looked like a puzzle of flap settings, weather, and electrical theories now zeroes in on a chilling cockpit moment: both engines lost power after the fuel cutoff switches were mysteriously triggered just seconds after takeoff. Was it mechanical failure or human error? We break it all down.

We also hit:

🧳 Stories from the Road

  • TSA shenanigans, PreCheck weirdness, and the return of “swamp crotch”

  • Elevator etiquette and breakfast missions in Anchorage

  • Hotel crew discounts getting shady – who’s pretending to be a pilot?

📉 Air India 171 Full Breakdown

  • Engine and MEL history

  • Weather, flap settings, and failed theories

  • A haunting cockpit exchange: “Why did you cut off the fuel?”

  • The unexpected deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)

  • A similar story from a T-1 student pilot who cut off fuel… on the ramp. A rare mistake, but not unheard of.

🛫 In The News

  • TSA considers ending the shoe removal rule (Finally.)

  • Why you’ll still need to take out your charger but might get to keep your shoes

  • Southwest’s pricing changes and customer identity crisis

  • Hotel charging setups – why does every room seem built for 2003?

This one’s full of insight, stories, and those moments in aviation that make you go: Wait, what just happened?

📬 Connect with Us:
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Drop us your name & story!

✈️ The Black Box Aviation Podcast
Real pilots. Real stories. What really happens when someone accidentally shuts down both engines? Let’s talk about it.



Ever wondered what it’s really like to sit in the cockpit, not just during a smooth flight but through the challenging moments that define a career in the sky? The Black Box Aviation Podcast pulls back the curtain, offering a rare seat at the table with the people who live and breathe flight. Hosted by The Black Box, each conversation features airline pilots, military aviators, and seasoned industry experts sharing unfiltered stories from their professional journeys. You’ll hear more than just technical discussions; this podcast delves into the human side of aviation-the daily realities, the tough decisions, and the unique culture that comes with a life spent above the clouds. It’s about the airline industry’s inner workings, the transition from military to civilian flying, and the sheer curiosity that drives a passion for aviation. Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, an aviation enthusiast, or simply fascinated by the stories behind the controls, these discussions provide a genuine, grounded perspective you won’t find in a manual. Tune in for honest reflections and personal experiences that capture the true essence of flying.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 91

The Black Box Aviation Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Cleared for the Go-Around: Airline Close Calls & Pilot Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:34
In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we dive into recent airline incidents, including multiple go-arounds and the near-miss involving a Southwest Airlines flight in Chicago. What causes these tense moments…
Turbulence, Chaos, and a CRJ Upside Down: A Pilot’s Perspective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:02
Episode Description:In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Mike and Tom reunite after three years apart, sharing stories from the skies and the terminals. The episode kicks off with how their paths finally cr…
AA5342 Crash at Washington National Discussion DCA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:33
In this episode we dive into to what we know about the tragic accident at Washington National on January 29th between American Airline Flight 5342 operated by PSA, a CRJ 700, and PAT 25, a blackhawk helicopter. We give s…
Day In the Life part 3 - Let's Go Fly! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:54
In this episode you will follow Tom and Mike along as we get to the airplane, push back, and take off. As usual there will be multiple stories about lessons learned and advice given a long the way. Have a question or an…
A Day In The Life Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:56
In this episode Captain's Mike and Tom start off discussing the nuances of being new to higher levels of social media and podcast broadcast production. The show moves into some quick takes on some real life stories from…
A Day In The Life Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:46
In this episode Captain's Mike and Tom take you into the life of the typical airline pilots commute to work. Some by air, land and sea. A typical day isn't very typical. We explore a couple of humouros stories we've with…
Intro With Mike and Tom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:21
This is our introduction podcast discussing our backgrounds and where we want to take this show. We get ready to bring an audience closer to the world of professional aviation.