Unraveling the Air India Crash: Aviation Experts Ponder Over Thrust Issue
Professionals identify clear issue in air accidents
In the wake of the recent tragic plane crash in India, taking the lives of over 240 souls and leaving just one survivor, speculations are rife about the likely cause of the disaster. One analyst from Hamburg, Germany, delves into the intricacies of the incident, highlighting the plane's apparent inability to gain altitude as a possible problem.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the flight in question, seems to have experienced an unusual predicament during takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. Although the initial ascent appeared normal, the plane failed to ascend further, flying perilously low for a few critical seconds, around 190 meters off the ground, before plummeting into a devastating fireball. This strange sequence is what has experts baffled.
According to our analyst, Andreas Spaeth, it appears that the plane was severely short on thrust, with the engines failing during or immediately after takeoff. He underscores that it's challenging to pinpoint the exact reason, but the lack of thrust is evident. This theory aligns with videos showing the landing flaps retracted, which should aid the plane in gaining altitude. It's plausible that the pilot or co-pilot could have mistakenly operated the wrong lever in the cockpit.
Was It the Pilots' Fault?
Former pilot Ehsan Khalid hasn't ruled out the possibility that the incident was caused by the crew in the cockpit. The likelihood of both engines failing simultaneously seems slim. A key question on Khalid's mind revolves around the deployment of landing gear, which should be retracted promptly after takeoff. The fact that the wheels were still down is concerning.
Video evidence could provide some answers. It shows that the flaps, the landing flaps on the wings, were retracted, which shouldn’t have happened. The flap control lever is positioned adjacent to the one for the landing gear, so an accidental press could be plausible.
Double Engine Failure - A Rare Occurrence
Although double engine failure is considered a rarity, there have been instances where a plane overcame such a calamity. Remember the Airbus flown by pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, which landed in the Hudson River in 2009 after both engines failed due to a bird strike? However, our analyst dismisses a bird strike as the likely culprit in this case, as no birds were spotted in the extensive footage of the crash, and there was no sign of fire or smoke emanating from the engines.
Additional insights into the crash may come from the flight data recorders, commonly known as black boxes, which record all technical settings and cockpit communications during the flight. Our analyst is hopeful that these data remain intact, as they could shed light on the cause of the tragedy. Investigations are ongoing, and Britain has already dispatched an expert team to Ahmedabad. US President Donald Trump has offered support if requested by India. Boeing remains committed to working alongside authorities to uncover the truth behind this unfortunate event.
[1] ntv.de[2] Times of India[3] mpa[4] University of York
- The community needs to formulate a policy that includes thorough vocational training for aviation industry personnel, focusing on understanding engine systems, and appropriate cockpit controls, to minimize such tragic accidents in the future.
- While investigating the Air India crash, financial support could be sought from industries specialized in transportation and aviation technology encompassing the study of engines, flight data analysis, and safety measures, to expedite the process and ensure comprehensive findings.
