Air India Flight AI171 a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner crashed minutes after its ascent. Airplane crashed into a doctor’s hostel.This tragic incident marks the first fatal crash for a Boeing 787 since its debut in 2011, and the deadliest Air India accident since Flight 182 in 1985. Authorities are now scrutinizing black box data, flight footage, and technical assessments to uncover the cause.
The Sole Survivor
The lone survivor, 40‑year‑old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated at an emergency exit. Post‑crash simulations suggest Ramesh managed to stand and escape through the exit shortly before the wreckage burst into flames. He recounted hearing a loud noise, seeing flashing lights, and then finding himself amid debris before fleeing the site.
Early Clues from Flight Recorders
Investigators quickly retrieved the digital flight data recorder and, days later, the cockpit voice recorder. These are expected to shed light on key metrics such as speed, altitude, flap and gear settings, engine thrust, and cockpit communication. The probe is being led by Indian authorities, with technical support from US and UK teams, and supplemented by anti‑terror investigators.
Five Main Theories
1. Engine Thrust Failure
Analysis of ascent footage and radar suggests the aircraft briefly climbed before its acceleration stalled and altitude dropped rapidly—roots of a classic aerodynamic stall due to loss of thrust. A YouTube flight‑simulator expert also observed deployment of the ram‑air turbine (RAT)—an emergency system engaged during engine or system failure—indicating possible dual‑engine or electrical malfunction.
2. Misconfigured Flaps and Gear
Video analysis shows that the wing flaps—a crucial lift-enhancing mechanism—may have been improperly set or retracted too early, while the landing gear remained deployed. Both factors would significantly reduce lift and increase drag, impairing climb performance. Experts are investigating whether this was due to mechanical fault or procedural oversight
3. Bird Strike Ruled Out
While initial speculation raised the possibility of a bird strike—some citing Ahmedabad’s proximity to slaughterhouses—official scrutiny of CCTV footage has largely dismissed this theory; no birds were seen near the plane during takeoff
4. Heat and Payload Concerns
Ahmedabad’s midday temperature hovered around 40°C (104°F), reducing air density and aircraft lift. Combined with a full complement of passengers, crew, cargo, and fuel, these factors may have rendered the plane near its performance limits. The co-pilot’s distress call—“No thrust, losing power, unable to lift”—underscores the severity of the situation.
5. Potential Technical or Human Error
Veteran pilot analysis suggests that improper throttle settings or automation issues could be involved. While pilot error remains an avenue of investigation, both pilots were highly experienced—the captain logged over 8,000 flight hours, and the co-pilot more than 1,000. Maintenance checks, fuel integrity, and potential sabotage are also under review.
What Investigators Are Doing
Detailed data analysis: Experts are combing through flight recorder data for anomalies in engine thrust, flap/gear timing, and cockpit procedures.
Fleet inspections: The DGCA has ordered intensified checks on all Air India Boeing 787s, focusing on engines, fuel systems, flaps, and hydraulics
Timeline for report: The government panel is expected to publish its final investigation report within three months from the crash date, mid-September 2025
Final Remarks
At this early stage, no definitive conclusion has been drawn. However, the investigation is honed in on a likely confluence of problems: possible thrust or engine failure, misconfigured or malfunctioning wing flaps/gear, and marginal lift capability in extreme heat. While still rare, such compounded failures can quickly lead to disaster—especially during the vulnerable takeoff climb phase. The aviation community awaits a thorough and clear report to understand how an advanced aircraft and seasoned crew met this tragic end.
