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Air India Flight 171 Crash: Investigation Underway to Determine Cause of Deadly Accident
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed into a densely populated neighborhood in Ahmedabad, India, just 40 seconds after takeoff, killing all 242 people on board. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with a preliminary report expected within 30 days. International rules set by the UN aviation body ICAO will guide the investigation, which will involve experts from Boeing, engine-maker GE, Air India, and Indian regulators.
The Air India Flight 171 crash is one of the rarest and most devastating aviation disasters in recent memory. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar, took off from Ahmedabad’s airport at 13:39 local time on June 12, 2025, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. However, just 40 seconds into the flight, a mayday call was made, and the plane crashed into a nearby hostel for medical students, killing all 242 people on board.
The investigation into the crash is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with assistance from international experts. The AAIB has recovered the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, also known as the “black boxes,” which will provide crucial information about the cause of the crash.
Investigation Procedures
The investigation will involve a thorough examination of the wreckage, including the engines, flaps, and slats, to determine the cause of the crash. Investigators will also review maintenance records, pilot training and experience, and weather conditions at the time of the crash. The investigation will be guided by international rules set by the UN aviation body ICAO, which require a preliminary report to be released within 30 days and a final report to be completed within 12 months.
Some of the key areas of investigation include:
* Engine failure: Did both engines fail due to bird strikes or fuel contamination?
* Improper flap extension: Were the flaps improperly extended, reducing lift on a heavily loaded jet in extreme heat?
* Maintenance error: Was there a maintenance error during engine servicing?
* Inadvertent crew action: Did an inadvertent crew action cut off fuel to both engines?
Role of Black Boxes
The flight data and cockpit voice recorders will play a crucial role in determining the cause of the crash. The recorders will provide information about the plane’s speed, altitude, and direction, as well as conversations between the pilots and air traffic control. The data will be analyzed to determine what happened in the seconds leading up to the crash.
According to Peter Goelz, a former managing director of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), “If the flight data recorder shows the engines were making full power, then the attention will move to the flaps and slats. If they are found to be extended as needed, then it becomes a very difficult investigation.”
International Cooperation
The investigation will involve international cooperation, with experts from Boeing, engine-maker GE, Air India, and Indian regulators participating. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) will also be involved in the investigation.
As Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg stated, “Boeing will defer to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) for information on Air India Flight 171, in line with UN ICAO protocol.”
Maintenance and Training Records
Investigators will review maintenance records, including the service history of all components of the aircraft that were removed and replaced. They will also examine pilot licenses, training records, simulator performance, and instructor remarks to determine if there were any issues with the pilots’ training or experience.
According to Captain Kishore Chinta, a former investigator with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), “Every part – wire, nut, bolt – will be meticulously collected. These investigations are extraordinarily complex. They take time, but there will be early indicators of what likely went wrong.”
Conclusion
The Air India Flight 171 crash is a devastating tragedy that has raised many questions about the safety of air travel. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and it may take several months or even years to determine the exact cause. However, with the help of international experts and the analysis of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, investigators are working to piece together what happened in the seconds leading up to the crash.
Keywords: Air India, Boeing 787, crash, investigation, aviation safety, ICAO, AAIB, black boxes, flight data recorders, cockpit voice recorders, maintenance records, pilot training, international cooperation.
Hashtags: #AirIndia #Boeing787 #AviationSafety #ICAO #AAIB #CrashInvestigation #BlackBoxes #FlightDataRecorders #CockpitVoiceRecorders #MaintenanceRecords #PilotTraining #InternationalCooperation
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