For the source text click/tap here: Chullin 31
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The Mishna on our daf presents a situation where a knife falls and slaughters an animal. According to the Mishna, such slaughter is not sufficient and the animal is not kosher. The source for this ruling is the passage in Sefer Devarim (27:7) that teaches that a person must slaughter and eat. Only after you slaughter the animal are you permitted to eat its meat.
The case in the Mishna must be understood where the animal is lying on its side and the knife falls in such a manner that it cuts through the trachea and esophagus perfectly, with none of the problems with sheḥita (see above, daf 4) occurring.
The Gemara points out that the law of the Mishna is only true in cases where the knife fell on its own. If, however, the knife was directed by the person, then it is acceptable as ritual slaughter, even without specific intent to perform sheḥita.
We explore the act and agency on the slaughtering process and acts or an event?