In a tragic incident that has shocked the nation, an Air India flight flying from Ahmedabad to London crashed just five minutes after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of 241 passengers. According to current information, only one survivor has been found, making the incident all the more shocking and raising serious concerns over aviation safety and procedures.

What Went Wrong? Expert Analysis

ABP Live spoke to aviation expert and former Air India pilot Girish Sharma to better understand what might have happened. Reviewing the last video footage before the crash, Sharma highlighted several key points and possible lapses:

Runway Inspection: Was the Ahmedabad runway thoroughly inspected before the flight? After every few takeoffs and landings, airport authorities are required to check the runway for debris or damage. Whether this was done remains unclear.
Foreign Objects and Bird Hits: Ahmedabad airport, surrounded by slums and high-rise buildings, has a history of frequent bird hits—the second highest in India. The video footage shows a black spot in the air at the time of the crash, leading some to speculate a possible bird strike.
Engine Failure: Both engines reportedly failed simultaneously. The pilot made a “Mayday” distress call, indicating severe trouble and the need for urgent help. Unfortunately, the plane was already at a low altitude and the pilot had little time or space for an emergency landing.
Aircraft Loading: Improper cargo or baggage loading could also have contributed to the disaster, as imbalanced loads can make a plane uncontrollable.

Technical Faults and Pre-Flight Checks

Social media user Akash Vats, who had flown on the same aircraft from Delhi to Ahmedabad earlier that day, reported several technical issues: malfunctioning air conditioning, non-working screens, and faulty remotes. He posted about sweating in the cabin and highlighted these problems online and on news channels. Experts debate whether such technical faults are directly related to engine failure, but agree that every defect must be logged and cleared by engineering before a plane is released for flight.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, had arrived from Paris the previous evening and was checked by engineers in both Delhi and Ahmedabad. All personnel accessing the plane must sign security registers, and any reported defects are supposed to be addressed before takeoff. However, some minor defects can be carried forward for up to 90 days, depending on engineering protocols.

Aircraft Life Span and History

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner typically has a lifespan of 20–30 years, depending on maintenance and usage. This particular aircraft was about 12 to 13 years old, well within its service life. The model has previously faced battery issues, which were later resolved through redesigns. Still, both engines failing simultaneously is extremely rare and points to a catastrophic failure.

Responsibility and Investigation

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau will lead the investigation. As per international rules, if more than 20 passengers from a single country are involved, that country’s aviation experts will also join the probe, alongside the aircraft manufacturer, Boeing.

Whistleblowers in the US have previously raised concerns about safety lapses at Boeing, and any unresolved defects are supposed to be addressed via service bulletins. In India, every defect is logged and must be cleared by engineering before the plane is declared airworthy.

This tragedy raises several urgent questions: Were all safety and maintenance checks properly carried out? Was the runway clear and safe? Was the aircraft loaded correctly? Was there any negligence in addressing reported technical faults?

With 241 lives lost and only one miraculous survivor, a thorough investigation is essential. ABP Live will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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