The investigation of the crash of Air India is taking place in a hurry and in a CA, with all experts striving to know the cause of one of the most shocking disasters ever to happen in India in the field of aviation. People are carefully examining the data retrieved by the black boxes recovered and looking at every part of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with doubts of failure or mistake. Nothing is being left out, including the performance of its engine or its flight control improvements. This is because the crash that happened a few seconds after takeoff has led to international cooperation on scrutiny across the globe. The objective is obvious, despite a growing amount of evidence: to kill two birds with one stone, i.e., answer the questions, assure accountability, and make future flights safer.
What happened toFlightt 171 of Air India?
Less than forty seconds. The Air India Flight 171 crashed down upon a highly populated locality in Ahmedabad within a short period of having been in the air, leading to one of the most unexplained airline accidents in recent Indian history. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated to London had 242 passengers, and it was carrying close to 100 tonnes of fuel after it departed at 13:39 local time. A few seconds later, a mayday was announced, and then we lost all altitude and crashed in flames.
It will now rely on investigators to read the black boxes and analyze the debris to establish what led to the calamity. Under any international aviation guidelines provided by ICAO preliminary report must be issued within 30 to 60 days, but a final report should preferably be published within one year. Here is the link to our article on Air India Revenge
What are the First Hypotheses Against the Crash?
Analysts are referring to this crash as rare and unprecedented, as the plane crashed just seconds after take-off. Possible theories taken into consideration can be bird strikes or contamination of fuel that led to the failure of the engine, failure to properly extend the flaps, which led to a decrease in lift, or another maintenance error during engine maintenance. Others even reason out that some unintentional action of the crew might have interfered with the supply of fuel to both engines.
Detectives aim to have recourse to a triangulation process to piece together a detailed account of what happened by comparing evidence of physical damage on the aircraft with flight and cockpit voice recorder data.
What Can Investigators Learn from the Use of Engine Wreckage?
Engines of the aircraft usually offer the first critical indicators. Analysts shall examine the reason why the turbines were generating power during the time of impact. Some of the turbines that are significant in generating thrust break when the turbine is propelled to move at a high speed than when they are put into a standstill.
In case the engines were not producing power, then the locus of the investigation will soon be in the cockpit. The working of the turbines might lead to the whole course of the investigation and might lead to clarifying whether a mechanical error or a working error occurred.
How do flight data and voice recorders help in the investigation?
The black boxes, which are also known as the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorder, are central to the investigation. Such devices retain vital information such as engine thrust settings, flap placement, fuel flow, and even the activation of the fire handle. The lyrics of piloting communication and background cockpit sounds are recorded on an audio recording that is picked up through area microphones.
In the event that the data indicates that the engines were functioning in the best manner, then the subsequent step will take a look at the position of the flaps and slats. They are also critical at the take-off time, enabling the plane to fly at reduced speed since these components make the plane safe to fly with.
Was there a contribution from the Flight Management System?
The Boeing 787 has an enhanced flight management control system that carries out navigation, guidance, and performance processes. If a defect is detected within this automated system, the drawbacks of such incidental occurrences will be much more than a one-off problem.
There are more than 1,100 Boeing 787s in the air traveling across the globe, and any sign of flawed systems would result in an urgent investigation by international regulators. It is very important to find out whether this is a one-off or a systemic problem in the whole of the aviation industry.
What is the state of Current Findings About Maintenance and Safety?
The airline and the crew have yet to be officially blamed in any manner. A recent audit of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet showed that there are no significant concerns in regard to safety. It also ascertained the fact that the aircraft were in the adherence to all the available aviation standards as well as the maintenance systems.
International protocols have mandated the manufacturer to delay all public utterances to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India.
Who is in charge of the Investigation?
Indian aviation authorities are investigating the case with the help of Boeing, the engine manufacturer GE, Air India, and other international organizations. The United States and United Kingdom investigators will also be involved, hence transparency and best international practices will be observed.
Black box readings have already started to be deciphered early in the AAIB lab in Delhi, which may provide very valuable answers as to what might have caused the crash. Here is the link to our article on Air Crash Prevention
How does Wreckage Reconstruction Come into the picture?
This cannot always be necessary, but may aid in selecting important information through a reconstruction of wreckage. Investigators intend to clear and inspect each part, be it wire or bolt, to see whether there is an indication of failure or stress. The wreckage is usually organized in a hangar to put the aircraft structure back together.
Here, a full reconstruction may not be needed, depending on what the flight data may indicate. Nevertheless, in case weird findings are detected in the remains, especially the fuel system, they will be subjected to investigation.
What is the process of Fuel Contamination and Systems check?
The most simple to test for contamination are fuel lines, filters, fuel valve, and final fuel. The investigators probably have imprisoned and examined the refueling equipment employed before the flight.
Whenever contamination of any kind is established, the investigation will be limited to a suspected component or a procedure. In the event of this being eliminated, other systems will be considered, such as electrical or avionics subsystems.
Which Maintenance Records and Logs are to be reviewed?
Air India has also given investigators tons of paperwork, such as the maintenance history of the aircraft, the maintenance history of faults, and the parts they replaced. Such logs outline any reported problems and corrective measures that are put in place before the flight.
Also, information of the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) transmitting flight-on-flight messages to ground stations will be monitored closely to monitor real-time aircraft behavior.
Is Pilot Training and Crew History under Scrutiny?
The probe team is also going through the pilot licenses, training certificates, and evaluation in flight simulators. These logs demonstrate the way that the crew responded to emergency flight situations such as engine failures.
This type of data can serve to determine the adequacy and competency of the cockpit crew to manage an emergency that could have occurred during takeoff.
So What Happens Next on the Investigation?
Investigators are hoping to know a lot more as the Air India crash investigation progresses—whether this was a solitary mechanical fault, an operational error, or perhaps a late-stage alarm system failure that poses a greater threat than previously understood. Aircraft components related to tariff compliance and ongoing maintenance practices are also under intense scrutiny. The next few weeks will be crucial for both aviation authorities and the airline industry. Ultimately, the final report from the Air India crash investigation should not only clarify what went wrong but also offer actionable recommendations to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
