Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner air craft crashed today in Ahmedabad few mins after take off. Over 200 people lost their life and about 40 people are injured after this tragic incident.
Below are some of the possible causes and initial theories surrounding today’s tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 (Boeing 787‑8, VT‑ANB) shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad:
🔍 1. Technical Failure — Dreamliner Concerns
- This is the first crash for Boeing 787-8 airplane though their has been few minor incidents in the past.
- Some technical issues happened in the past with the plane – such as electrical systems and flight control anomalies. However, it’s unclear right now if it’s related.
🔧 2. Engine or Lift Malfunction
- Initial theory: dual engine failure or power loss shortly after takeoff. Pilot triggered a mayday call at approximately 625 ft altitude.
- Since plane was not able to ascent, a hypothesis has been made involving flap misconfiguration or insufficient lift.
- Also, the landing gear wasn’t retracted probably meaning either some malfunction or crew was trying to make an emergency landing.
🧱 3. Mechanical or Pre‑existing Fault
- A passenger on the prior Delhi–Ahmedabad flight, just two hours earlier, reported the aircraft’s AC, entertainment, and cabin systems were malfunctioning.
- Such issues may suggest deeper mechanical or maintenance irregularities.
🪶 4. Environmental / External Factors
- Bird strike on takeoff is a standard early consideration; aircraft was flying low when it issued mayday, and data shows landing gear wasn’t retracted, suggesting crew responded to a major fault.
👨✈️ 5. Human or Operational Factors
- While causes like pilot error or procedural lapses haven’t been indicated yet, these remain part of standard multi‑agency investigations led by the DGCA and AAIB, with the U.S. NTSB involved.
🗺️ 6. Additional Observations
- The crashed plane failed to gain altitude (hovered around 625 ft) before descending vertically into a residential area, with landing gear still down.
- Rescue teams continue recovering remains, and flight data recorders (FDR/CVR) are expected to be analyzed in coming days.
🧭 Summary Table of Theories
| Possible Cause | Evidence / Indication |
|---|---|
| Engine or lift failure | Loss of altitude; early mayday at 625 ft; landing gear not retracted |
| Technical Dreamliner issue | First loss of aircraft; passenger-reported faults hours before crash |
| Flap/configuration problem | Ongoing hypothesis; insufficient lift on climb |
| Bird strike | Standard procedure to examine; no confirmation yet |
| Human/operational error | Included in investigation parameters |
🛠️ What Happens Next?
- As part of standard procedure, the black box will be retrieved from the aircraft debris. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and India’s AAIB, will conduct the inquiry in this shocking incident.
- Investigators will review other data such as maintenance logs, crew interviews, and flight recordings.
- A preliminary report may be released within weeks; final findings could take months.
This remains a developing story. Once the flight data is released, we’ll have definitive insight into the root cause. Until then, all possibilities are under rigorous professional review.
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