🚨 Air India 171 Crash – What We Know So Far
Technical breakdown
#AI171 #Boeing787 #CrashInvestigation
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 (VT-ANB) operating AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
• 242 people onboard (230 passengers, 12 crew)
• Crashed ~2 km beyond runway shortly after takeoff
• 241 fatalities onboard, over 20 killed on ground, 1 known survivor
Key Stats:
• Ambient temperature at departure: 37°C
• High load factor (~93%), full 11,499 ft runway used
• No signs of improper takeoff configuration
• Aircraft lifted off late and failed to climb properly
• FR24 data shows only ~71 ft altitude at runway end
• Speed decayed rapidly after rotation
Post Crash Findings:
• RAT (Ram Air Turbine) sound captured on video, indicating dual engine or electrical failure
• Mayday call was transmitted shortly after liftoff
• Landing gear began retracting but remained extended – suggests power loss during retraction
• No smoke, fire, or backfire visible in available footage
• Aircraft maintained pitch-up attitude and control before descending
• Slats observed at crash site, indicating some aerodynamic surfaces deployed properly
• Flap/slat configuration does not indicate major pilot error
• Survivor reports aircraft felt “stuck” in air for 5–10 seconds
• Emergency lighting activated, likely due to power failure
Possible Scenarios Considered
• Incorrect takeoff config – unlikely
• Bird strike – no evidence
• Fuel starvation – ruled out (fire present)
• Incorrect thrust setting – possible
• Dual engine flameout – increasingly likely
Dual Flameout: How Could It Happen?
• Fuel contamination (e.g., Cathay 780)
• Ice/FOD – known from BA38 (not applicable here)
• Software fault – unlikely due to system redundancy
• Maintenance error or suction feed failure – under consideration
Known Dual Engine Loss Cases
• US Airways 1549 – bird ingestion
• BA38 – fuel icing
• Air Transat 236 – fuel leak
• None occurred immediately after rotation at low altitude
Key System Redundancies on 787
• Independent fuel feed for each engine
• Dual electrical systems
• Suction feed works at low altitudes
• RAT designed to provide backup power
• Multiple protections (stall, autothrottle) in place
If Dual Flameout is Confirmed
• Potential overhaul of fuel testing and engine delivery systems
• FAA/EASA may issue new airworthiness directives
• Crew training and maintenance protocols could face review
Conclusion
• This would be the first case of a clean dual engine failure post-rotation in a commercial jet of this class
• Investigation must determine root cause: fuel, systems, maintenance, or unknown failure
• Final answers await FDR/CVR analysis
Technical breakdown
#AI171 #Boeing787 #CrashInvestigation
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 (VT-ANB) operating AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
• 242 people onboard (230 passengers, 12 crew)
• Crashed ~2 km beyond runway shortly after takeoff
• 241 fatalities onboard, over 20 killed on ground, 1 known survivor
Key Stats:
• Ambient temperature at departure: 37°C
• High load factor (~93%), full 11,499 ft runway used
• No signs of improper takeoff configuration
• Aircraft lifted off late and failed to climb properly
• FR24 data shows only ~71 ft altitude at runway end
• Speed decayed rapidly after rotation
Post Crash Findings:
• RAT (Ram Air Turbine) sound captured on video, indicating dual engine or electrical failure
• Mayday call was transmitted shortly after liftoff
• Landing gear began retracting but remained extended – suggests power loss during retraction
• No smoke, fire, or backfire visible in available footage
• Aircraft maintained pitch-up attitude and control before descending
• Slats observed at crash site, indicating some aerodynamic surfaces deployed properly
• Flap/slat configuration does not indicate major pilot error
• Survivor reports aircraft felt “stuck” in air for 5–10 seconds
• Emergency lighting activated, likely due to power failure
Possible Scenarios Considered
• Incorrect takeoff config – unlikely
• Bird strike – no evidence
• Fuel starvation – ruled out (fire present)
• Incorrect thrust setting – possible
• Dual engine flameout – increasingly likely
Dual Flameout: How Could It Happen?
• Fuel contamination (e.g., Cathay 780)
• Ice/FOD – known from BA38 (not applicable here)
• Software fault – unlikely due to system redundancy
• Maintenance error or suction feed failure – under consideration
Known Dual Engine Loss Cases
• US Airways 1549 – bird ingestion
• BA38 – fuel icing
• Air Transat 236 – fuel leak
• None occurred immediately after rotation at low altitude
Key System Redundancies on 787
• Independent fuel feed for each engine
• Dual electrical systems
• Suction feed works at low altitudes
• RAT designed to provide backup power
• Multiple protections (stall, autothrottle) in place
If Dual Flameout is Confirmed
• Potential overhaul of fuel testing and engine delivery systems
• FAA/EASA may issue new airworthiness directives
• Crew training and maintenance protocols could face review
Conclusion
• This would be the first case of a clean dual engine failure post-rotation in a commercial jet of this class
• Investigation must determine root cause: fuel, systems, maintenance, or unknown failure
• Final answers await FDR/CVR analysis
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