Investigation Focuses on Potential Twin Engine Malfunction and Electrical Issue in the Ahmedabad Dreamliner Catastrophe involving Air India
Air India Flight AI171, which crashed in Ahmedabad, India on June 12, 2023, killing 241 people on board and a few others on the ground, has left the world in shock. The investigation into the cause of the disaster is ongoing, with multiple agencies working together to unravel the mystery.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is being assisted by Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the investigation. Preliminary data from the flight recorders, kitchen audio, and flight performance statistics have been obtained, offering some insights into the tragic event.
According to the data, the plane did not gain altitude after takeoff and crashed into a medical college hostel on the outskirts of the airport. The Mayday alert was issued 15 seconds after the accident, leaving little time for recovery. The landing gear appeared to be tilted forward, suggesting an unfinished retraction procedure. The gear doors were not open, indicating a potential hydraulic or electrical malfunction.
Investigating authorities are focusing on potential dual-engine failure or significant electrical failure as possible causes of the crash. A Bloomberg report suggests that a more fundamental mechanical or electrical failure may be the cause of the crash, but no definitive conclusions have been reached yet.
The emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was activated mere seconds before impact, which could suggest an extreme electrical failure. However, it's important to note that the RAT can drive simple systems but cannot produce thrust.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the crash was equipped with two General Electric engines, but neither Boeing nor General Electric has made an official statement about the crash.
The investigation is still in its early stages, and further updates are expected as more data becomes available. Simulator tests by Air India pilots replicated the configuration of the flight, but these tests did not account for the crash.
The incident has prompted global safety probes, with Boeing and aviation authorities from various countries involved. The crash has also led to insurance claims and changes in safety protocols for Dreamliners.
A UK law firm is preparing for potential legal proceedings related to the crash, which could involve Boeing if evidence supports such action. This is the worst commercial air crash in India for decades and the first complete loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The investigation continues, and the world awaits the official findings from the analysis of the black boxes, predicted for early next week.
- The accident investigation involves the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Boeing, and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), working together to analyze preliminary data from the flight recorders, kitchen audio, and flight performance statistics.
- The investigation is focusing on potential dual-engine failure or significant electrical failure as possible causes of the crash, with a Bloomberg report suggesting a more fundamental mechanical or electrical failure may be the cause.
- The emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT) was activated mere seconds before impact, hinting at an extreme electrical failure, but it's important to note that the RAT can drive simple systems but cannot produce thrust.
