Air India Crash: Investigators Probe Rare Dual Engine Failure, Configuration Errors, and Bird Strike Theories
Ahmedabad – As authorities scramble to uncover the truth behind one of India’s deadliest air disasters in a decade, multiple investigative leads are being pursued to determine what caused the Air India Boeing 787 to crash into a residential area in Ahmedabad, just minutes after takeoff.
The crash claimed 241 lives out of the 242 people onboard, with only one survivor, and has prompted a full-scale probe by Indian aviation authorities, with global experts weighing in.
Early Investigations Point to Rare Technical Failure
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the flight crew issued a MAYDAY call shortly after takeoff, indicating a serious emergency.
This call came just moments before the aircraft lost altitude and crashed, lending credence to the possibility of a catastrophic dual-engine failure—a rare and potentially unprecedented occurrence in modern aviation, especially during such an early phase of flight.
Investigators are focusing closely on the aircraft’s configuration during takeoff and initial climb, with particular attention being paid to the flaps, slats, and landing gear.
Flap Configuration Under Scrutiny
Aviation safety consultant John M. Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems in Washington, D.C., analyzed grainy crash visuals and flagged an anomaly: the trailing edge flaps—essential for generating lift at low speeds—may not have been properly deployed.
While the image quality is poor, Cox stated that investigators will likely zero in on whether the wing configuration was correct, as improper flap or slat positions can severely compromise lift.
Cox added that the aircraft maintained a nose-up attitude during descent, a sign that it was not generating adequate lift despite the angle, suggesting engine thrust loss may have contributed to the aircraft stalling mid-air.
Was There a Dual-Engine Flameout?
The aircraft’s landing gear remained deployed, a factor now being linked by some experts to the suspected dual-engine flameout.
Former Air India official Capt. Manoj Hathi told the Times of India that the failure of both engines might have prevented the automatic retraction of the landing gear. He also raised the possibility of fuel contamination or simultaneous bird ingestion into both engines as a cause.
Former pilot Ehsan Khalid added that the landing gear is typically retracted moments after takeoff. “If it wasn’t raised, it may indicate the crew detected engine trouble early on,” he said. This again aligns with the MAYDAY distress call issued by the pilots.
Bird Strike Hypothesis Divides Experts
The bird strike theory remains one of the most debated possibilities. Former pilot Saurabh Bhatnagar, speaking to NDTV, hypothesized that multiple bird hits might have caused both engines to fail.
He pointed out that the aircraft’s initial climb was normal before it abruptly began descending, a pattern consistent with sudden engine failure.
However, this theory has been met with skepticism. Sam Thomas, president of the Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA), called such a scenario “highly improbable,” citing the extreme rarity of a flock of birds disabling both engines simultaneously, especially in the narrow window of time during early ascent.
Visual Evidence Suggests Power Loss
Analyses of video and photo footage show the plane descending despite a nose-up angle, which experts say suggests the engines were not providing sufficient thrust, and the aircraft was not generating lift. “This kind of descent is not normal,” Cox observed. “The aircraft should have been climbing, but it appears to be stalling instead.”
Investigators are also examining flight data from the aircraft’s black boxes and air traffic control communication logs, both of which will be critical in verifying if a mechanical failure, pilot error, or external factor led to the crash.
Official Probe Underway, No Final Conclusion Yet
While preliminary theories point to either engine malfunction, configuration error, or a rare bird strike incident, authorities are urging caution against speculation until the official inquiry is completed.
The DGCA, along with Air India and international aviation safety bodies, are combing through technical records, maintenance logs, and environmental factors such as bird activity near the airport.
Professor John McDermid of the University of York, an aviation systems expert, noted that while preliminary clues are emerging, “it is far too early to definitively say what caused the crash. The analysis of flight data and wreckage will be key.”
As investigators sift through wreckage and data, the focus remains on pinpointing the exact chain of events that led to this catastrophic failure. The final report is expected to not only clarify the cause but also recommend crucial steps to prevent future aviation tragedies.
