In what is now being regarded as India’s most severe air disaster in nearly two decades—and the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner—investigators are increasingly focusing on the possibility of a dual engine failure as the primary cause of the June 12 crash near Ahmedabad.
Preliminary analysis has been informed by expert assessments, including that of Captain Steve Scheibner, a highly experienced former U.S. Navy aviator and aviation safety analyst.
While initial theories had explored a range of possible contributing factors—including fuel contamination, bird strike, flap misconfiguration, or general power loss—emerging evidence is shifting the focus toward a catastrophic failure involving both engines shortly after takeoff.
A key visual clue came from recently released video footage showing the deployment of the ram air turbine (RAT), a device designed to automatically extend in the event of complete engine failure or total electrical and hydraulic loss.
“The visual appearance of the RAT confirms that the aircraft entered an emergency power configuration,” noted one investigator. Under normal flight conditions, the RAT remains retracted and is not expected to deploy.
Audio analysis of the crash footage also revealed a consistent high-frequency mechanical whine, believed to be the RAT’s turbine in operation—an acoustic signature consistent with emergency deployment scenarios.
This audio evidence is being examined in conjunction with flight data and cockpit recordings.
In addition, survivor testimony is playing a critical role in shaping the investigation. The only known survivor, seated near an emergency exit, reported hearing a loud bang followed by flickering cabin lights—a sequence that aligns with the timeline and conditions of RAT activation and engine flameout.
While unverified at this stage, reports have also surfaced suggesting a Mayday call from the cockpit, referencing a potential loss of thrust. Investigators are awaiting the release and analysis of air traffic control (ATC) audio logs to confirm this claim.
The aircraft involved had an operational history of more than 8,000 flights and approximately 41,000 flight hours. No prior anomalies linked to propulsion systems had been reported, making the suspected dual-engine failure particularly unusual.
“This development places the dual engine failure scenario at the forefront of our investigation,” said one official familiar with the case.
“However, we are still working to determine the root cause—what led to the simultaneous loss of power on both engines of a modern, well-maintained aircraft like the 787 remains unclear.”
Investigations are ongoing, with teams from India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Boeing, and engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce closely examining flight data, maintenance records, and component recoveries from the crash site.
