An Air India flight bound for London tragically crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, claiming the lives of over 240 people. The disaster has become one of the deadliest aviation incidents in a decade.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, began losing altitude shortly after liftoff. It plummeted into a residential area, erupting into a massive fireball as it struck buildings below. Local media report that as many as 24 people on the ground were also killed when the plane crashed onto a medical college hostel during lunchtime. Miraculously, only one passenger survived the crash.
Investigators are focusing on potential issues with the plane’s engine thrust, flaps, and landing gear. Authorities are examining why the landing gear remained open during takeoff and whether there were problems with the engine’s power or the flaps that control the aircraft’s lift. Anti-terrorism experts are also part of the investigation to rule out any foul play.
In response to the tragedy, India’s aviation regulator has ordered Air India to conduct additional safety checks on its entire fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft equipped with GEnx engines. This includes pre-flight checks of takeoff parameters and inspections to ensure all control systems are functioning properly.
The digital flight data recorder has been recovered from the rooftop of one of the buildings impacted by the plane, providing crucial data for the investigation. However, there is no information yet on the cockpit voice recorder.
The government is considering whether to ground the Boeing 787 fleet during the ongoing investigation. Air India operates more than 30 Dreamliners, and no official decision has been announced regarding their status.
