The Air India crash on June 12 shocked the nation. Flight AI-171, heading to London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, crashed just after takeoff. Out of 242 people on board, only one survived. The rest, including all the crew, lost their lives in the tragic accident.
Now, early clues from a flight simulator test and black box data suggest something serious: the crash might not be due to flap or gear issues—but a possible dual engine failure.
What Happened After Takeoff?
Soon after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner began losing altitude. It tried to climb but couldn’t. In just a few seconds, the plane dipped, hit the ground, and exploded. The pilots sent out a Mayday call, but only 15 seconds passed between their signal and the crash.
Video clips of the flight also show the plane struggling to rise properly—raising more doubts.
Simulator Test Offers a Clue
According to a report by Bloomberg, Air India pilots ran the same flight conditions in a simulator. They even tested it with the landing gear down and wing flaps retracted. Still, the aircraft stayed in the air during the simulation. This shows those factors alone could not have caused the crash.
Flaps Were Working
Investigators have also checked the wreckage. The flaps and slats—parts of the wing that help with lift during takeoff—were found in the correct position. That means the aircraft systems meant to help it rise were working properly.
Focus Now Shifts to the Engines
The aircraft was powered by two General Electric engines. If both failed during takeoff, the aircraft would lose power—and that’s now the focus of the probe.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is leading the investigation. Teams from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are also helping.
What About the Black Boxes?
On June 24, experts from India and the US started checking the black box data. By June 25, they had safely extracted key data from the memory module. This information will help investigators understand what went wrong in those final seconds.
Tata Group Steps In
After the crash, Tata Sons, which owns Air India, held a board meeting. Chairman N Chandrasekaran shared updates on relief efforts. Tata Sons, along with Tata Trusts, is working to support families affected by the crash.
This crash has raised serious questions about engine reliability, safety checks, and emergency responses. As India waits for the AAIB’s first report, one thing is clear: Air India needs answers—and accountability.
Also Read Air India Crash: Investigators Retrieve Critical Data From Black Boxes, Probe Advances
