Investigators into the Air India Flight AI 171 crash near Ahmedabad are now focusing on key flight systems—engine thrust, wing flaps, and landing gear—as data from the recovered black box reveals crucial clues to the disaster.
CCTV Footage Highlights Abnormal Descent
Video from airport CCTV shows the Boeing 787 taking off, briefly climbing, then descending with its tail low about 17 seconds after liftoff. Notably, no engines were observed on fire, and the landing gear remained extended throughout, suggesting serious issues during initial climb.
Engine Thrust Under Scrutiny
Investigators are assessing whether thrust was insufficient, possibly due to engine malfunctions or improper power settings during takeoff. India’s regulator has mandated additional engine tests and takeoff parameter verifications for all GEnx‑powered Boeing 787s in Air India’s fleet. A dramatic mayday call—“Thrust not achieved. Falling”—speaks volumes about suspected propulsion failure.
Flap Settings and Pilot Actions
Proper flap deployment is critical for generating lift at low speeds. Experts now believe flaps may have been retracted too early or not set correctly, causing the aircraft to stall. Aviation analyst Captain Steve Chen suggested the co-pilot might have inadvertently manipulated flap controls instead of the landing gear lever, while debates continue over possible pilot error versus equipment malfunction.
Landing Gear Left Down
The unusual decision—or oversight—to keep landing gear extended post-takeoff greatly increases drag, hindering climb capability. Veteran pilots have flagged this as a potentially decisive factor. Excessive drag may have compounded lift issues, tipping the aircraft into a fatal descent.
Regulatory Action and Fleet Safety
In response, India’s civil aviation authority has ordered comprehensive inspections on all GEnx‑engine Boeing 787‑8 and 787‑9 aircraft. Checks include power assurance, electronic engine control systems, fuel system integrity, and pre-flight takeoff settings.
Black Box Data Drives Investigation
One of the flight’s Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders has been recovered. It stores both flight data and cockpit audio, and is currently under analysis by India’s AAIB, alongside UK and US experts. The cockpit voice recorder remains missing, but its data will be critical in clarifying pilot communications and control inputs during the emergency.
Looking Ahead: Clearer Answers Soon
The AAIB plans to issue a preliminary report in the coming weeks, with a full inquiry due within about three months. Meanwhile, discussions continue on whether to ground Air India’s 787 fleet during the investigation—a move focused on ensuring aviation safety in the wake of the world’s deadliest flight disaster in a decade.
As investigators piece together data on thrust, flap settings, and gear configuration, families and regulators await clarity. Each technical detail now holds crucial weight in understanding how a modern Boeing 787 failed to climb and led to one of aviation’s gravest tragedies.
