The investigation into the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which tragically claimed the lives of at least 270 people on June 12th, is intensifying, with emerging evidence pointing towards a possible dual-engine failure or a significant electrical malfunction. The flight, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff.
A crucial piece of evidence is the observed deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT). The RAT is a small, propeller-like device that automatically deploys in situations where the aircraft experiences a dual-engine failure, a total electrical failure, or a hydraulic failure. Its function is to generate emergency power using wind speed, providing essential electrical and hydraulic power to control the aircraft. According to aviation experts, the RAT's deployment strongly suggests one of these critical failures occurred.
Veteran Indian Air Force pilot and aviation expert Captain Ehsan Khalid stated that he suspected dual engine failure from the moment the video of the crash surfaced. He noted the aircraft didn't yaw (turn abruptly), arguing that simultaneous bird strikes on both engines are highly improbable. Furthermore, the lack of yaw suggests a simultaneous loss of power, which would lead to reduced speed and lift, causing the plane to descend as it did.
Another theory revolves around a potential electrical failure. According to the former Air Force pilot, an electrical failure, under certain circumstances, could have led to the engines shutting down simultaneously. The precise timing of the engine shutdowns is significant. Had there been even a slight delay between the failures, the aircraft would have experienced a noticeable yaw.
The possibility of pilot error has also been considered. One theory suggests that the pilots, startled by a loud boom during takeoff, may have forgotten to retract the landing gear, increasing drag. Another speculation is that the co-pilot might have mistakenly retracted the wing flaps instead of the landing gear. However, even with one engine functioning, such errors should not have been fatal.
Overloading the aircraft is another angle being explored. Air safety expert Captain Amit Singh suspects the aircraft may have been carrying more weight than what was entered into the system, potentially due to excess cargo. This discrepancy could explain the longer takeoff roll and the aircraft's inability to maintain altitude after a potential engine failure. Another senior pilot speculated that the crew might have mistakenly entered only the aircraft's "zero fuel weight," excluding the substantial fuel onboard. This would result in lower thrust settings during takeoff, which, combined with an engine failure, could have had disastrous consequences.
The recovery of the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder is crucial to the investigation. Analyzing the pilots' final words and the flight data will provide valuable insights into the sequence of events leading to the crash, helping investigators determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
In the wake of the crash, India's civil aviation authority has ordered urgent pre-flight checks on all Boeing 787 aircraft in the country, leading to the grounding or cancellation of at least three Air India flights in the past 48 hours. These precautionary measures highlight the seriousness with which the investigation is being treated and the commitment to ensuring the safety of future flights.
