Unraveling the Mystery: Investigating the Causes of the Air India Flight AI171 Crash

By Boncopia Staff | June 13, 2025 | Global News

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers and crew from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick, crashed just 30 seconds after takeoff, killing 241 people onboard and at least 28 on the ground. The sole survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, miraculously escaped from seat 11A, but the tragedy has left the world searching for answers. As investigators comb through wreckage and data, early theories point to mechanical failures, environmental factors, or human error. This blog post explores the ongoing investigation into the crash’s causes, offering a detailed yet accessible look at what we know so far, crafted for Boncopia.com’s Global News section and optimized for Google AdSense approval.

The Crash: A Devastating 30 Seconds

At 1:38 PM IST, Flight AI171 lifted off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Within moments, the plane issued a mayday call, struggled to gain altitude, and crashed into a medical college hostel in the Meghaninagar neighborhood, erupting into a fireball. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows the plane reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet (190 meters) before losing signal, traveling at 322 km/h. CCTV footage revealed a “catastrophic lack of lift,” with the plane’s nose tilted upward but sinking rapidly.

The crash, the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, killed 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, along with ground victims, including medical students and a doctor. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), supported by U.S. and UK experts, is leading the probe, focusing on the plane’s engine thrust, wing flaps, landing gear, and Air India’s maintenance practices.

Early Theories: What Went Wrong?

While the investigation is in its infancy, experts and initial findings suggest several possible causes. Here’s a breakdown of the leading theories:

1. Engine Failure or Thrust Issues

The Boeing 787-8 was powered by GE Aerospace GEnx engines, and investigators are examining whether an engine malfunction, such as a rare twin-engine failure, contributed to the crash. A Reuters report noted that the probe is scrutinizing engine thrust, as the plane failed to climb despite reaching takeoff speed. Aviation safety expert Ron Bartsch told ABC News that the aircraft’s inability to gain altitude suggests insufficient thrust or lift, possibly exacerbated by high temperatures (around 40°C) and a heavy fuel load for the 10-hour flight.

A post on X highlighted speculation about engine issues, with one user noting, “462 bird strikes in that region in the last five years,” raising the possibility of a bird strike damaging the engines. However, no conclusive evidence supports this yet.

2. Wing Flap Malfunction

Flaps are critical for generating lift during takeoff. Video analysis by ABC News Verify showed the plane’s flaps appeared retracted, an abnormal configuration at 600 feet. Paul Edwards, an aviation security analyst, told Sky News that the plane lacked adequate airspeed and climb rate, possibly due to flap issues. If the flaps failed to deploy correctly, the plane would struggle to gain lift, especially at low speeds and high weight.

India’s aviation regulator has ordered Air India to conduct “additional maintenance actions” on its Boeing 787 fleet with GEnx engines, suggesting concerns about maintenance or component reliability.

3. Landing Gear Anomaly

CCTV footage showed the plane’s landing gear extended during its brief flight, which is unusual as pilots typically retract it after takeoff for aerodynamic efficiency. Edwards speculated the pilot may have lacked time to retract it or believed a controlled landing was possible. The AAIB is investigating why the gear remained down, as this could indicate a hydraulic or control system failure or a pilot decision under duress.

4. Bird Strike

Bird strikes are a known hazard in Ahmedabad, with 462 reported in the region over the past five years. A strike could damage engines or critical systems, but experts caution that a single strike is unlikely to cause such a rapid crash unless it affected both engines or key controls. The black boxes, if undamaged, may reveal whether the pilots reported a strike before the mayday call.

5. Maintenance or Human Error

The 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 (VT-ANB) had been in service since January 2014. Investigators are scrutinizing Air India’s maintenance records, as Reuters reported that the airline’s maintenance regime is under review. Human error is also a possibility, though the captain had 8,200 hours of experience and the copilot 1,100 hours. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR), still missing as of June 13, could reveal pilot actions or miscommunications.

6. Environmental Factors

Ahmedabad’s high temperature (40°C) and the plane’s heavy fuel load for a long-haul flight reduced performance margins. Bartsch noted that these conditions, combined with a near-maximum takeoff weight, would require optimal flap and thrust settings, which the plane lacked. While not a primary cause, environmental factors may have compounded other failures.

Investigation Progress: Black Boxes and Beyond

The digital flight data recorder (DFDR) was recovered from the rooftop of the crashed hostel, but the CVR remains missing, complicating efforts to understand the pilots’ final moments. Graham Braithwaite, an aviation professor at Cranfield University, emphasized that the black boxes, if intact, will provide critical data on engine performance, flap settings, and pilot communications.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a probe, and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are assisting. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is ready to provide technical support but noted that India leads the investigation. Forensic experts are analyzing wreckage, radar data, and CCTV footage, while GE Aerospace and Boeing have pledged support.

Boeing’s shares fell 5% after the crash, reflecting market concerns, but U.S. officials have not flagged immediate safety issues requiring a 787 grounding. The investigation is expected to take months, with Braithwaite stressing the need to preserve evidence during wreckage recovery.

The Human Toll and Global Impact

The crash’s devastating toll—241 onboard deaths, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, and at least 28 ground victims—has left communities in Ahmedabad, Leicester, and beyond reeling. DNA testing is underway to identify remains, a painful process for families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “heartbreaking beyond words,” and Air India’s parent, Tata Group, pledged ₹1 crore ($116,000) per victim’s family.

The disaster has sparked global calls for aviation safety improvements. India’s aviation regulator ordered safety inspections of Air India’s 787 fleet, and speculation about grounding these planes persists, though no such action has been taken. The crash, the deadliest since Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, underscores the urgency of pinpointing its cause to prevent future tragedies.

Why This Matters

The Air India Flight AI171 crash is a stark reminder of aviation’s complexities and risks. Vishwaskumar Ramesh’s survival offers hope, but the loss of 269 lives demands answers. The investigation’s findings could reshape maintenance protocols, pilot training, or aircraft design, impacting millions of travelers worldwide. At Boncopia, we’re dedicated to keeping you informed as this story unfolds, blending facts with human stories to foster understanding and dialogue.

Thought Questions for Readers:

1. Which potential cause—engine failure, flap issues, or human error—do you think is most likely, and why?

2. How can airlines balance cost pressures with rigorous maintenance to ensure safety?

3. What role should international cooperation play in investigating and preventing aviation disasters?

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