New footage of the Air India Flight 171 disaster, which claimed the lives of over 200 people shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, is under intense scrutiny by aviation experts. The consensus emerging from the analysis is that the aircraft experienced significant aerodynamic issues, potentially stemming from a loss of power or incorrect flap settings.

The flight, bound for London Gatwick, crashed in western India, marking the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. The tragedy has prompted immediate investigations into the cause, with initial focus on the moments leading up to the crash. A sole survivor, a UK national, reported hearing a loud noise shortly after the plane left the ground, adding to the mystery surrounding the incident.

Alastair Rosenschein, a former British Airways pilot, highlighted several anomalies upon reviewing the footage. He pointed out that the landing gear was still deployed, which is incorrect for that stage of flight. Rosenschein also noted the possibility that the aircraft did not have the correct take-off flap setting. These observations suggest that the plane struggled to gain altitude and maintain flight.

Another expert speculated that a flap issue might have occurred. Although the video quality is not ideal, he observed that the landing gear remained down longer than usual. He suggested that this could explain why the aircraft was unable to maintain flight, ultimately leading to the crash. The expert emphasized that the plane appeared to be descending rather than climbing, indicating a significant aerodynamic problem caused by incorrect flap settings during takeoff.

Adding to the complexity, Ahmed Busnaina, an airplane engineer, suggested that engine failure could also be a contributing factor. He noted that takeoff requires maximum engine power, and a loss of thrust at this critical stage could be catastrophic. Busnaina explained that while a plane can often fly on one engine at higher altitudes, it cannot take off with a single engine. He believes the crash resulted from the plane not having enough lift and stalling, with engine failure being a primary possibility.

Laura Savino, a former United Airlines pilot, analyzed the video and noted that the aircraft seemed to struggle to climb, despite using the full length of the runway. She speculated whether there was a loss of thrust. Savino noted that modern aircraft have powerful engines capable of climbing efficiently even on a single engine, making a complete loss of thrust a critical point of investigation.

Experts also discussed the role of the pilots during takeoff, noting that one pilot focuses on flying the plane while the other manages the gear and flaps. The non-flying pilot typically raises the gear and flaps on command. The fact that the landing gear remained down suggests a potential error in this process, whether mechanical or human. It's possible that the pilots mistakenly raised the flap handle instead of the landing gear handle, leading to a loss of lift.

The importance of the "black box" recovery was emphasized, as it is expected to provide crucial insights into the crash. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) will be particularly valuable, as it will reveal the pilots' actions and communications in the moments before the crash. The investigation will consider multiple factors, including engine performance, flap settings, and pilot actions.