The Air India Flight AI171 crash near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025, has prompted intense scrutiny into the possible causes of the tragedy. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and several on the ground. As investigators piece together the events leading up to the crash, aviation experts are offering potential explanations for what went wrong in the first few critical moments of the flight.
One former Air India pilot has suggested three possible scenarios that could have contributed to the disaster. The first explanation revolves around the aircraft's configuration during takeoff, specifically the position of the flaps and slats. These are crucial for generating lift at lower speeds. If they weren't correctly deployed, the aircraft would struggle to gain altitude, particularly with a heavy load of fuel and passengers, exacerbated by the hot weather conditions in Ahmedabad, where temperatures neared 40°C (104F). As the air thins in hotter conditions, higher flap settings and greater engine thrust are required. A small error in configuration could then have catastrophic consequences. However, some experts point out that a take-off configuration warning system should alert the flight crew to any unsafe settings.
Another possibility raised is a "very rare" dual-engine failure. Videos show the plane struggling to lift off, suggesting a lack of thrust or power. While dual-engine failures are uncommon, they can occur due to fuel contamination, bird ingestion, or mechanical issues. In such a situation, pilots would have very little time to react, especially during the critical takeoff phase. The Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency backup turbine, should kick in to provide power to essential systems if both engines fail. Whether it deployed correctly will be a key point in the investigation.
The third explanation considers the possibility of a significant and sudden loss of engine thrust, which is supported by the plane maintaining a nose-up attitude, which is typically not associated with a normal descent. An expert noted that the image shows the airplane with the nose rising and continuing to sink, meaning it was not generating enough lift. Engine failure could stem from various mechanical issues such as corrosion, blade breakage, overheating, oil leaks, or insufficient fuel supply. Bird strikes or throttle system failure are also potential factors.
Several other experts have weighed in on additional factors. One is unusual landing gear positions, as it was reported that the landing gear was not retracted. A former Air India official suggested that a dual-engine flameout could be the reason the landing gear was not retracted, further explaining that the dual engine failure could be from bird ingestion or fuel contamination. There is also the possibility of a malicious act, however, it is considered unlikely.
The Air India plane crash is currently under investigation and the truth behind the crash will be determined by the data in the black box.
