The Air India flight AI171, carrying 242 people, crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, resulting in numerous fatalities. Investigators are exploring various theories about the cause, including possible engine failure or a bird strike.
Investigation Underway After Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Minutes After Takeoff
Investigation Underway After Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Minutes After Takeoff
A tragic incident near Ahmedabad leads to the first-ever fatal crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, with experts delving into possible causes, including bird strikes and engine failures.
The crash of the Air India Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad on Thursday raised questions about what could have led to such a catastrophic event occurring merely 30 seconds post-takeoff. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which had a flawless operational history since its introduction in 2011, met with disaster shortly after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The imminent investigation will comprise teams from India, the US, and the UK, aiming to uncover the precise reasons behind the accident that claimed 241 lives onboard and affected casualties on the ground.
Pilots with extensive experience operated the flight—Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar boasted over 9,000 hours of combined flying experience. The flight took off at 13:39 local time, with the aircraft reportedly loaded with about 100 tonnes of fuel. A mayday call was issued almost immediately after takeoff, indicating serious trouble, but further communication was severed as the plane plummeted.
Eyewitness accounts suggest the aircraft struggled to gain the necessary altitude. Video footage revealed the tragedy as the plane flew low, ultimately resulting in an explosion on its descent—evidence suggests it only reached a height of 625 feet before crashing into residential buildings.
Experts are hypothesizing potential causes, with suggestions of a rare double engine failure being scrutinized. Such a scenario would be highly unusual and could result from several issues, including fuel contamination or a clogged system. Investigators will examine the plane's black box for insights into technical failures that could have occurred.
Additional theories include the likelihood of a bird strike, a risk that has been noted at Ahmedabad airport, which has reported numerous such incidents in recent years. The possibility that critical take-off configurations, such as the flaps, were not properly set is also under consideration, pointing to potential human error as a contributing factor to this disaster.
As investigators continue to gather evidence from the crash site, the aviation world watches closely, not only for answers but for the implications this crash will have on the aviation industry and safety protocols moving forward.
