Because he HEARD the fuel control switches move from run to cutoff, that is why. He heard those distinctive *CLICK* sounds (and yes, you can easily flick them both in less than a second FWIW) followed by the engines immediately rolling back. He would then have looked down at the switches and noticed they were in cutoff. The point to be made here is that the switches were moved by the captain. They made their distinct sound. There were no phantoms. They cannot move on their own. They didn't simultaneously fail. This drew the PF's attention away from flying and triggered the question "why did you cutoff"?
Thank you for "telling it like it is"! Just to clarify one point for doubters--the "click" or "clunk" that the FCS makes--is it due to the internal toggle mechanism or due to the locking detent clicking back in after you let go of it? If you smoothly pull the lever up, switch from RUN to CUTOFF (or vice versa) while holding the spring part of the lever up and then very slowly and gently release it so that it settles in quietly, will it still make the noise? I'm assuming it will because large, heavy duty 4-pole toggle switches typically have a pretty good snap to them, both in feel and sound--but I haven't heard one of these specific switches.
Last edited by BrogulT; 17th July 2025 at
12:10
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Reason: grammar
Obviously the narrator doesn't mean that there are two independent locking mechanisms - it's the combined action of the spring and the detent that supplies the desired locking characteristics.
Interestingly, he goes on to say that it was the failure of the spring on a 737 switch that led to the SB being issued.
I didn't find that whole explanation particularly coherent or thorough and certainly not "authoritative". There are two 'locking' mechanisms that keep the switch in whatever particular position it is in. One is the external gate consisting of the spring loaded lever with the tab part that engages with the gate on the body of the switch. The other is the internal toggle mechanism that provides a snap action between the two positions. Neither mechanism is infinitely strong but either is sufficient to prevent the switch from moving due to vibration, turbulence, light touch, etc. What he says about the bulletin involving only the 737 and the problem being the spring, that's just sloppily inaccurate. The bulletin specifies replacement for one part number that is only found on the 737 but it also clearly calls for (voluntary) inspections of the other models including the 787. The actual defect that was found in the 737 switches is documented earlier in this thread and appears to involve rotation of the lever or tab so that it doesn't drop down and engage with the gate. IDK first hand, but there are photos. If this rotation was caused by a defect in the spring part, this hasn't been explained.
A suicidal person perceives their behavior as rational. Hence they take great care to make sure their plan works.
IDK whether you've addressed this earlier, but I'd point out that people with suicidal thoughts are often
indecisive
. This can manifest itself in many ways--going up on a bridge but not jumping, crossing the centerline but then going back. Or, perhaps setting the FCS to cutoff and then changing his mind. I'm not saying that's what happened, of course. And (correct me if I'm wrong) I believe you've dismissed the notion of hiding the suicide and making it appear to be an accident, murder, someone elses fault, etc. I think that notion might be more common than you would think (after all if they are successful you wouldn't know...) and probably reflects a significantly different sort of mental issue. A depressed narcissist? IDK.
Subjects
(links are to this post in the relevant subject page so that this post can be seen in context): Fuel (All)Fuel Cutoff Switches
A pilot who can fly an aircraft around the world, operate it in however many situations he might face in the process, but doesn't know how the EAFRs work?
Do pilots need to know that? Is it covered in training? I imagine there are a lot of technical details on modern planes that the pilots don't necessarily know about. And I'm not referring to MCAS.