Tragic Crash of Air India Flight AI171
Last week, a devastating tragedy struck when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed less than a minute after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in western India. The catastrophic incident claimed the lives of at least 270 people, most of whom were passengers. The crash has left the aviation community and the public searching for answers as investigators work tirelessly to uncover the cause of this horrific event.
Initial reports indicate that the aircraft experienced severe difficulties almost immediately after departure. The recovery of the black boxes, including the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, marks a critical step in piecing together the final moments of the flight. Authorities are now decoding the recorded data and audio to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
Engine History Under Scrutiny
In the wake of the disaster, Air India's chairman, N Chandrasekaran, provided significant details about the aircraft's engines during an interview with an Indian news channel. He revealed that one of the engines was newly installed in March 2025, while the other had been last serviced in 2023 and was not due for maintenance until December 2025. 'The right engine was a new engine put in March 2025. The left engine was last serviced in 2023 and due for its next maintenance check in December 2025,' Chandrasekaran stated, emphasizing that both engines had 'clean' histories.
This information has sparked intense interest among investigators and aviation experts, who are considering whether engine performance could have played a role in the crash. Some experts have speculated about the possibility of dual-engine failure, supported by initial assessments of video and audio recordings that suggest the automatic deployment of the ram air turbine, a backup power system activated during major electrical, hydraulic, or engine failures. However, no conclusive evidence has been released yet regarding the cause.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Implications
The investigation into the crash of Flight AI171 is being conducted with urgency and thoroughness. Indian aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced that a government panel tasked with examining the incident is expected to issue a report within three months. This timeline underscores the importance of swiftly identifying any contributing factors to prevent future tragedies.
As debris is sifted through and data analyzed, the global aviation community watches closely. The findings could have far-reaching implications for aircraft maintenance protocols, safety regulations, and operational procedures. For now, the focus remains on supporting the families of those lost and ensuring that every possible detail is uncovered to explain why this tragedy occurred.