AIR INDIA CRASH: Some theories on possibly causes

It is a natural impatience to hace the trangic explained. Although it will take months to conclusively determine what the chain of events was that lead to the crash of flight AI 171, here is a summary of the current theories being expressed by a range of experts.

Introduction

As investigations continue into the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI171 shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, experts are examining several potential causes behind the disaster that claimed over 260 lives.

Sudden Loss of Thrust

The flight crew’s mayday call reporting ‘no thrust’ suggests a sudden and critical loss of engine power. Such failures are rare during takeoff. Modern aircraft such as the Boeing 787 are designed to operate on a single engine if necessary. The abruptness of the incident implies a severe malfunction limiting the pilots options.

Bird Strike

It’s possible a bird strike affecting both engines. Ahmedabad airport has a history of bird strike incidents. A simultaneous bird strike on both engines, could lead to a complete loss of thrust. Currently there is no evidence for this cause.

Flap and gear configuration

Video footage of the aircraft’s final moments shows that the wing flaps were retracted and the landing gear deployed . This configuration reduces lift and increases drag, hindering the aircraft’s climbing ability. This may indicate a malfunction in the flap system.

Runway use and environmental factors

Reports suggest that the aircraft may have used a shorter portion of the runway for takeoff, say 2,000 meters, instead of the full length. With temperatures around 40°C, reduced air density requires a longer takeoff roll . The combination of high temperature, full passenger load, and possibly insufficient runway length could have contributed to the aircraft’s failure to gain altitude.

Potential overloading

This is considered unlikely due to stringent pre-flight checks. The aircraft’s weight, combined with environmental conditions, may have been a contributing factor. Excess weight reduces climb performance, and may have exacerbated the situation.

Ongoing investigation

Authorities will be looking at data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder to determine the exact sequence of events.

Investigators from India, the UK, the US, plus Boeing are collaborating to uncover the root cause of the crash.

The aim of these investigations for the aviation community is so that measures can be implemented to prevent future tragedies.

2PAXfly Takeout

This post summarises current analyses and hypotheses expressed by a range of experts quoted in a number of online newspaper and specialty websites regarding the crash of Flight AI171. As investigations progress, more concrete information will emerge to clarify the factors leading to this devastating event.

Our thoughts go out to all those family, friends, and colleagues who have lost someone in the crash, whether they were in the air or on the ground.