A plane crash in Ahmedabad: What's the Deal? | What Caused Air India 171 crash |

 

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff.¹ The disaster resulted in 265 confirmed deaths, including 241 people on board and 24 on the ground. Only one person aboard the flight survived.²

What happened:

• The plane took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 1:30 PM IST.
• Seconds after takeoff, the pilot issued a "Mayday" distress call, indicating a full emergency.³
• Witness videos show the aircraft struggling to gain altitude and flying low with its landing gear extended.
• The plane crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College, located near the airport, and burst into flames.⁴

Possible Causes (Under Investigation):

The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and will likely take months to confirm. However, aviation experts and initial observations point to several potential factors:

• Dual Engine Failure: This is a leading theory. Videos and the Mayday call suggest a significant loss of power from both engines shortly after takeoff. Possible reasons for dual engine failure include:
  • Bird Strike: This is being investigated as a possible cause, especially given a past increase in bird strike incidents at Ahmedabad airport. A bird ingestion into the engines could lead to a loss of thrust.
  • Fuel Contamination/Issues: Problems with fuel quality or delivery to the engines are also being considered.
• Unretracted Landing Gear: The aircraft's landing gear remained extended even as it climbed past 400 feet, which is unusual for a normal takeoff.⁵ This would significantly increase drag and make it harder for the aircraft to gain altitude and speed, especially if combined with engine issues. Pilots typically retract the landing gear within seconds of lift-off once a positive rate of climb is established.⁶
• Flap Settings: Some experts have questioned whether the flaps, which are crucial for generating lift during takeoff, were correctly deployed or retracted.⁷
• Aerodynamic Stall: Looking at the trajectory and angle of the aircraft, some experts suggest it might have stalled due to a loss of speed, potentially exacerbated by issues with thrust or aircraft configuration.⁸

The black box (flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder) has been recovered, and its analysis will be crucial in determining the sequence of events and the precise cause of this devastating accident.⁹ A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, with the final report likely to take up to a year.