A tragic plane crash involving an Air India flight has left the aviation community and the public in shock. On June 12, the flight, which was headed to London from Ahmedabad, India, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 229 passengers and 12 crew members. Only one person survived, and the crash also claimed at least 29 lives on the ground in a densely populated area.
The flight took off at 1:38 PM local time but was airborne for just about half a minute before it began to descend rapidly. CCTV footage captured the plane struggling to gain altitude with its landing gear still deployed, raising questions among experts. They noted that the landing gear should have been retracted during takeoff, which adds to the mystery of the incident.
Investigators from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are leading the inquiry, with assistance from officials in the UK, the US, and Boeing. They are focusing on several key pieces of evidence, including the recovery of the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, commonly known as black boxes. These devices provide crucial information about the aircraft’s performance and the pilots’ actions just before the crash.
Experts have suggested various theories, including potential issues with the aircraft’s flaps and the possibility of a bird strike. However, they emphasize that the plane’s design allows it to fly on one engine, making a bird strike less likely to be the cause.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the crash was 12 years old. This incident marks a significant event as it is the first deadly crash of the Dreamliner model, which has been in operation for 16 years. The investigation is expected to take time, as the AAIB will meticulously analyze all available data to determine what went wrong.
The retrieval of the black boxes took longer than usual due to the fire damage at the crash site. Once recovered, the data will be sent to the US for analysis. Investigators will also review additional footage from nearby CCTV cameras and speak with witnesses to gather more context about the crash.
As the investigation unfolds, experts urge caution in jumping to conclusions. The AAIB aims to release a preliminary report within 30 days, but a final report could take up to a year or more. The focus remains on understanding the sequence of events that led to this tragic accident, ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent future incidents.