The investigation into the recent Air India Flight 171 crash, which occurred just seconds after take-off from Ahmedabad, is now in full swing. The Boeing 787, carrying 242 passengers and substantial fuel, went down into a packed residential area, marking a rare aviation incident in India.
Investigators are currently in the process of analyzing the wreckage and the critical cockpit voice and flight data recorders—commonly known as "black boxes"—in an effort to determine what went wrong. According to international aviation protocols, a preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while the final analysis could take up to a year.
The aircraft took off at 13:39 local time, but within 40 seconds, it lost altitude drastically, leading to a catastrophic crash accompanied by flames. Crash investigation experts describe this scenario as "the rarest of the rare," and various possible causes are being considered, including engine failure due to potential bird strikes or fuel issues, maintenance mistakes, or even pilot error.
Authorities emphasize thorough examinations of the wreckage will be crucial. Experts will analyze the damage to the aircraft's engines, wired connections, and other critical components. Understanding whether the engines had power during the crash could direct investigators towards the cockpit or the aircraft's systems.
With investigators from multiple agencies including India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the NTSB, and Boeing itself collaboratively working on the probe, the complexity of this investigation is high. Each piece of wreckage will be meticulously studied for clues, alongside maintenance records and pilot training backgrounds to establish potential mechanical issues or human errors that could have contributed to the crash.
While initial reports haven’t indicated any specific fault, the outcome of this investigation could potentially lead to significant implications for future aviation safety.
