Date: June 12, 2025 | By: Our Investigation Desk

In a tragic incident that has left aviation experts puzzled and the world in shock, Air India’s Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport on its scheduled journey to London. While investigations are still ongoing, several startling facts and unanswered questions have emerged about the mysterious crash.

The Chain of Events

According to international media reports, Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off at 1:38 PM local time from Ahmedabad Airport. Surprisingly, within just one minute of takeoff, the pilot issued a “Mayday” distress call, indicating a serious emergency onboard. Soon after, all communications with the aircraft were lost. Within minutes, the aircraft crashed into a densely populated residential area called Meghani Nagar, leading to widespread devastation.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the total number of casualties, but initial reports suggest that both passengers and people on the ground may have been affected.

Puzzling Technical Anomalies

Aviation experts analyzing preliminary data have pointed out several oddities:

Unusual Takeoff Speed: The aircraft did not reach the typical speed required for a safe takeoff. Slower speed compromises lift and stability, making takeoff risky.
Landing Gear Malfunction: Even after reaching 600 feet altitude, the landing gear reportedly failed to retract, which is highly abnormal for commercial jetliners.
No Smoke or Bird Strike: Witnesses and air traffic control confirmed that there was no visible smoke coming from the engines nor any bird strike — two common causes of aviation incidents.
Sudden Loss of Power: The aircraft simply lost altitude rapidly and crashed, raising questions about a possible dual engine failure.

The Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The ill-fated aircraft was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner — one of the most advanced and safest commercial planes globally. It is equipped with two powerful engines, and modern aviation protocols suggest that even if one engine fails, the aircraft should still be able to fly, take off, or land safely on a single engine.

A Boeing 737 captain commented, “For the aircraft to crash so quickly, it appears that both engines might have failed simultaneously, which is extremely rare.”

Possible Scenarios Being Investigated

Aviation analysts and accident investigators are now exploring multiple possibilities:

Mechanical Failure: Simultaneous failure of both engines, possibly due to fuel contamination, engine control system failure, or undetected manufacturing defects.
Flight Control System Malfunction: Issues with the aircraft’s fly-by-wire system, which electronically controls flight operations.
Human Error: Sudden incapacitation of the flight crew due to unknown reasons, though this seems less likely given the Mayday call.

Black Box: The Key to the Mystery

Investigators are currently searching for the aircraft’s black box — the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR). These devices hold critical data on the aircraft’s final moments and could provide the definitive cause behind the disaster.

Ahmedabad’s Second Major Aviation Tragedy

This is not the first time Ahmedabad has witnessed a major aviation disaster. In 1988, nearly 37 years ago, another tragic crash occurred during landing at the same airport, claiming around 133 lives. However, the current crash during takeoff presents a different set of technical mysteries.

Global Aviation Industry on High Alert

The crash has sparked global concerns about the safety protocols of modern aviation, particularly with technologically advanced aircraft like the Boeing 787. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Boeing officials, and international aviation safety agencies are jointly involved in the investigation.

Until the black box is recovered and analyzed, the exact cause remains speculative. Families of passengers and aviation experts around the world await clear answers.

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