Focus on the BIG picture.
Saturday, Jun 14, 2025
Outside the box.
Investigation Underway Following Air India Flight AI171 Crash
Focus on Engine Thrust, Wing Flaps and Maintenance Practices as Experts Join Inquiry
The official investigation into Air India flight AI171 is intensifying, with a primary focus on the Boeing 787's engine thrust, wing flaps, and landing gear.
The inquiry is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which has retrieved one of the black boxes from the crash site.
Investigators are examining whether there was a failure in the aircraft's thrust mechanisms and why the landing gear remained in an extended position during its ill-fated ascent.
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, when the flight issued a mayday call and subsequently crashed into a nearby building, resulting in the deaths of 241 individuals, with one survivor among the 242 passengers and crew onboard.
A digital flight data recorder has been recovered, although the cockpit voice recorder remains missing.
Initial assessments suggest that a bird strike leading to dual engine failure is unlikely, as both CCTV footage and expert analysis indicate no such interference during the takeoff phase.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is the first of its kind to experience a fatal crash, prompting significant scrutiny of both the model and the airline’s maintenance practices.
The AAIB is also investigating potential human error, looking into the pre-flight checks that were conducted.
Notably, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and Co-Pilot Clive Kundar had considerable flight experience, raising questions regarding cockpit procedures during takeoff.
In parallel, aviation analysts have presented theories suggesting that a stall due to loss of thrust might have occurred.
There is also speculation about improper deployment of the wing flaps, crucial for generating lift during takeoff.
Concerns have been raised about the aircraft's maintenance and operational oversight, particularly given that the aircraft type has been in service for a decade without major incidents.
In response to the crash, India’s aviation regulator has mandated additional safety inspections on Air India's remaining fleet of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft.
While the model itself has not been grounded, there are calls for heightened scrutiny into its operational safety.
Meanwhile, investigations are also considering external factors such as potential sabotage, with heightened awareness of political tensions in the region, as well as the possibility of contaminated fuel affecting engine performance.
GE Aerospace, which supplies the engines for Air India’s 787 fleet, is collaborating with investigators to analyze data that may elucidate the circumstances leading to the crash.
On June 13, just a day after the disaster, another Air India flight, AI 379 from Phuket to New Delhi, made an emergency landing following a bomb threat.
The aircraft returned safely with no injuries reported, highlighting concerns over aviation security in the wake of the previous day’s tragedy.
Indian authorities have seen a significant rise in hoax bomb threats in recent years, complicating airline operations.
As the investigation continues, the aviation community is closely monitoring developments to understand the causes behind this catastrophic event, marking a pivotal moment in aviation safety history.
The inquiry is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), which has retrieved one of the black boxes from the crash site.
Investigators are examining whether there was a failure in the aircraft's thrust mechanisms and why the landing gear remained in an extended position during its ill-fated ascent.
The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, when the flight issued a mayday call and subsequently crashed into a nearby building, resulting in the deaths of 241 individuals, with one survivor among the 242 passengers and crew onboard.
A digital flight data recorder has been recovered, although the cockpit voice recorder remains missing.
Initial assessments suggest that a bird strike leading to dual engine failure is unlikely, as both CCTV footage and expert analysis indicate no such interference during the takeoff phase.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is the first of its kind to experience a fatal crash, prompting significant scrutiny of both the model and the airline’s maintenance practices.
The AAIB is also investigating potential human error, looking into the pre-flight checks that were conducted.
Notably, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and Co-Pilot Clive Kundar had considerable flight experience, raising questions regarding cockpit procedures during takeoff.
In parallel, aviation analysts have presented theories suggesting that a stall due to loss of thrust might have occurred.
There is also speculation about improper deployment of the wing flaps, crucial for generating lift during takeoff.
Concerns have been raised about the aircraft's maintenance and operational oversight, particularly given that the aircraft type has been in service for a decade without major incidents.
In response to the crash, India’s aviation regulator has mandated additional safety inspections on Air India's remaining fleet of 33 Boeing 787 aircraft.
While the model itself has not been grounded, there are calls for heightened scrutiny into its operational safety.
Meanwhile, investigations are also considering external factors such as potential sabotage, with heightened awareness of political tensions in the region, as well as the possibility of contaminated fuel affecting engine performance.
GE Aerospace, which supplies the engines for Air India’s 787 fleet, is collaborating with investigators to analyze data that may elucidate the circumstances leading to the crash.
On June 13, just a day after the disaster, another Air India flight, AI 379 from Phuket to New Delhi, made an emergency landing following a bomb threat.
The aircraft returned safely with no injuries reported, highlighting concerns over aviation security in the wake of the previous day’s tragedy.
Indian authorities have seen a significant rise in hoax bomb threats in recent years, complicating airline operations.
As the investigation continues, the aviation community is closely monitoring developments to understand the causes behind this catastrophic event, marking a pivotal moment in aviation safety history.
