Overview
BBC News reports a fatal crash of Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787, shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport. Captain Steve analyzes available video and proposes possible causes, emphasizing that these are preliminary assessments pending further investigation.
Incident Summary
- Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad International Airport.
- Preliminary reports indicate all but one on board perished; ground casualties remain unknown.
- The incident marks the first total loss of a Boeing 787.
Initial Observations from Available Footage
- Aircraft appeared to lose lift soon after takeoff, flattening out and pancaking into the ground.
- Landing gear remained down well past the expected retraction point.
- No visible evidence of fire, sparks, or mechanical failure from the engines during takeoff.
- Wing flex (indicative of lift) appeared minimal compared to normal takeoff.
Theories on the Cause
- Theory 1: Dual Engine Failure (Loss of Power)
- Possible causes: bird strike or fuel contamination.
- Considered unlikely due to lack of engine fire, smoke, or sputtering signs in video.
- Theory 2: Takeoff with Flaps Up (Configuration Error)
- Would require circumvention of multiple electronic checklists and ignoring cockpit alarms.
- Considered improbable due to procedural safeguards and warning systems.
- Theory 3 (Most Likely): Incorrect Flap Retraction During Initial Climb
- Suggested that the co-pilot may have retracted flaps instead of raising the landing gear.
- Loss of flap-induced lift, combined with the high drag of extended landing gear, likely led to stall and uncontrolled descent.
- Pilots may have believed gear was being retracted; confusion and rapid sequence of events made recovery unlikely at low altitude.
Response and Next Steps
- NTSB and Boeing are deploying teams to assist the Indian investigation.
- Further analysis will be possible once black box and official findings are released.
- Updates and corrections will follow as more information becomes available.
Recommendations / Advice
- Final cause determination should await official investigation results and black box data.
- Early theories remain subject to change as new evidence emerges.