Air India AI171 Crash: What Happened in the 30 Seconds Before Disaster Struck?
India's aviation authorities are working around the clock to determine what caused the devastating crash of Air India flight AI171, which plummeted to the ground mere 30 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport, en route to London Gatwick. Of the 242 people on board, only one survived.
The crash, which marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, has triggered an international investigation, with experts from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) joining Indian authorities on-site. With global interest intensifying, authorities are racing to piece together the final moments before tragedy struck.
A Sudden Descent After Takeoff
According to Ahmedabad air traffic control, the aircraft lifted off at 1:39 p.m. local time (0809 GMT). Within seconds, the cockpit issued a Mayday call, indicating a critical emergency. But contact was abruptly lost thereafter. Eyewitness footage and radar data confirm that the plane was airborne for less than half a minute before it began to lose altitude dramatically.
Authorities are focusing on the aircraft’s cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR)—critical tools that hold the key to understanding what unfolded in those final seconds.
Key Theories Under Investigation
Aviation experts are currently exploring several possible causes. In the absence of a clear answer, these are the primary angles investigators are considering:
1. Bird Strike: A Devastating Encounter?
Aircraft engines are designed to withstand single bird strikes—even during takeoff. However, the possibility of a dual engine failure due to simultaneous bird impact is not unheard of. The infamous 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson" incident involved both engines of a US Airways flight being disabled by birds shortly after takeoff. The difference? That plane had climbed high enough to glide to a water landing.
If birds struck both engines of flight AI171 during its initial climb, the pilots may have had no opportunity to recover.
2. Mechanical Failure: A System Breakdown?
Initial wreckage analysis will focus on potential mechanical malfunctions, especially failures related to engine power or flight control systems. Aviation security professor Philip Baum told The Independent it “seems likely” that a system or multiple system failures could have played a central role.
Was there a hidden defect in the aircraft? Was a critical part overlooked during routine maintenance? These are crucial questions for the technical investigators.
3. Human Error: A Tragic Misjudgment?
Takeoff conditions—heavy fuel load, full passenger capacity, and high temperatures—can challenge even the most experienced flight crews. Investigators are considering whether pilot error, particularly in flap settings or weight distribution, may have contributed to the disaster.
A senior pilot for a U.S. carrier noted that poor performance on hot days with improperly configured flaps could result in a fatal stall shortly after takeoff.
Authorities will be examining crew records, training logs, and health reports to see whether human factors played a role.
4. Malicious Intent: Was Foul Play Involved?
In a world where aviation has been historically targeted for political or personal reasons, sabotage or terrorism is always on the table. However, current intelligence and early reports indicate no evidence of foul play. Professor Baum stated that it was “unlikely there was anything more sinister at play.”
Still, background checks and security protocols are being reviewed as a precaution.
A Race Against Time for Answers
The next 72 hours will be critical. If the black boxes reveal an underlying flaw in Boeing’s 787 model—or expose an overlooked hazard—aviation regulators may need to issue safety bulletins or even temporarily ground aircraft until the issue is resolved.
Air India has pledged full cooperation, and Boeing has dispatched a support team to assist with the investigation.
Global Aviation Community on High Alert
With more than 1,000 Boeing 787s in active service worldwide, this crash has sent shockwaves across the global aviation industry. Passengers, pilots, and airlines alike are eagerly awaiting official findings.
In the coming days, we can expect a preliminary report summarizing key facts. A full investigation, however, may take months to yield conclusive results.
As the world mourns the victims of AI171, investigators are sifting through every clue to uncover the truth. Whether mechanical error, human mistake, or sheer misfortune caused this tragedy, one fact remains: the answers must be found swiftly, to prevent another 30-second disaster from ever happening again.