Ahmedabad: A routine Air India flight turned into a nightmare on Thursday, as investigators now race to uncover what caused the aircraft’s fatal crash just moments after takeoff. What began as a safe journey ended in horror for passengers aboard the ill-fated Dreamliner, which exploded mid-air and crashed into a residential area near BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad.
While examining the charred debris, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), along with the aviation regulator, ordered a safety inspection. Six critical aircraft systems are to undergo a set of pre-flight checks to uncover the possible reasons behind the unprecedented explosion.
The probe will examine several possible scenarios, including equipment failure, pilot error, weather conditions, and other contributing factors. Officials have stated that no conclusions can be drawn at this early stage.
Investigations underway
An initial assessment revealed that the landing gear remained deployed during the aircraft’s brief ascent, and flap components were scattered on the runway, an indication that the aircraft may have attempted takeoff in an incorrect configuration, depriving it of critical lift, one official on condition of anonymity told Hindustan Times.
Officials confirmed that one of the black boxes was recovered from the rooftop of a hostel mess near the crash site. A team from Boeing has arrived in Ahmedabad to assist the investigation. Meanwhile, components of the aircraft’s two General Electric GEnx engines are being sent to the US for detailed examination.
“The wreckage will be moved to a storage facility for reconstruction by Air India, the AAIB, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and other agencies,” HT quoted official familiar with the investigation.
Almost 24 hours after the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had ordered inspections of several systems, including fuel parameters, fuel flow, electronic engine controls, hydraulic systems, and takeoff configurations, specifically to evaluate the aircraft’s ability to safely operate in emergency takeoff conditions.
Amit Singh, an aviation expert, commented on the investigation’s direction saying, “while the checks mentioned by the DGCA are typically performed by pilots before takeoff, they represent just a portion of all pre-flight inspections. This could indicate that the regulator had prior concerns or reports of potential issues with the aircraft”.
According to a report by Reuters, Air India and government officials are reviewing multiple aspects of the crash, including engine thrust, flap deployment, and why the landing gear remained open as the aircraft attempted to take off but failed within seconds. The probe is primarily focused on whether maintenance lapses on Air India’s part may have led to the accident.
In response to the tragedy, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg announced on Friday that he would not attend the upcoming Paris Air Show. Meanwhile, Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran described June 12 as “one of the darkest days in the Tata Group’s history” in an emotional letter to employees.
International aviation experts believe that recovered flight data recorders will yield answers within days. These devices contain essential readings of engine performance, control inputs, and cockpit voice recordings.
Paul Fromme, from the UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers, told the Associated Press, “The data recorder should quickly show whether there was a loss of power or lift during takeoff, allowing a preliminary assessment of the crash’s cause.” Fromme heads the aerospace division of the institution.
Aviation safety consultant Guzzetti added that critical factors include whether flap and slat settings were correct, whether engine power was lost, and whether the crew input correct data related to outside temperature and aircraft weight.
“A mistake in the flight system inputs could cause the flaps and slats to be set incorrectly,” he said.
