Air India AI171 Crash: Here’s What Experts Say Could Have Gone Wrong

Mumbai: The devastating crash of Air India flight AI171, which occurred just 33 seconds after departing from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, has prompted aviation authorities to launch a comprehensive investigation. Operated by an 11‑year‑old Boeing 787 and bound for London, the aircraft tragically nose‑dived into a nearby medical college hostel, resulting in 265 confirmed fatalities and only one survivor.

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), supported by teams from the United States and the United Kingdom, is meticulously analyzing flight recorder data, air‑traffic communications, and surveillance footage to determine the root cause. Here are the five primary scenarios being examined by experts:

1. Engine thrust or compressor failure: Early video footage indicates the aircraft might have failed to maintain thrust after a brief climb, a symptom consistent with compressor malfunction or sudden loss of engine power.
2. Bird strike: Ahmedabad airport, especially during monsoon, is known for bird activity. Experts acknowledge bird strikes as a remote possibility, although simultaneous dual-engine failure caused by birds is considered highly unlikely.
3. Incorrect takeoff configuration: Some footage suggests the landing gear remained deployed and flaps retracted well into the ascent—an atypical configuration that could contribute to lift loss.
4. Environmental stress and heavy fuel load: Given the long-haul flight’s fuel requirements, officials note the aircraft likely carried a full fuel load. Taken together with high temperatures and crosswinds, this may have reduced lift performance.
5. Control system failure: Investigators are also considering potential mechanical or systemic failures in critical control surfaces such as flaps or elevators, which could explain the unusual descent in takeoff attitude.