Experts Suspect Dual Engine Failure or Bird Hit as Possible Cause of Ahmedabad Air India Crash

Ahmedabad — Aviation experts believe that the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, which killed 241 people and injured several others, may have been caused by either the failure of both engines or a severe bird strike shortly after takeoff. The London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people including crew, crashed moments after it departed from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Though the exact cause of the tragedy will be determined only after a thorough investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), early observations by senior wide-body pilots and instructors have begun to shed light on possible technical failures.

Three experienced commanders, after reviewing publicly available crash footage, suggested that the aircraft may have failed to generate the necessary thrust during takeoff. One pilot explained that in the case of a single engine failure, the aircraft typically veers or yaws due to asymmetrical thrust. However, in this incident, the plane appeared to remain steady before its descent, indicating a potential failure of both engines.

“There is a possibility of dual engine failure or complete loss of thrust,” the commander stated. “It’s also noticeable from the images that the flaps may have been retracted or the landing gear not properly lifted, which can impact takeoff performance.”

Another expert pointed out that a dual flameout could result from a bird strike involving both engines. “The way the aircraft dropped suggests a complete lack of thrust. If both engines ingested birds, they might have failed simultaneously,” he said.

A third senior pilot offered another scenario. “It’s possible that one engine failed initially, and if the landing gear wasn’t retracted quickly, it could have increased drag and caused the second engine to lose power too.”

Some reports have speculated about a potential overload of the aircraft, but experts dismissed this theory. “If the aircraft was over the weight limit, takeoff would not have occurred in the first place. Weight affects the V1 speed—the decision speed—and incorrect calculation of this speed could make takeoff difficult, but it wouldn’t necessarily cause immediate engine failure,” one commander explained.

The ill-fated aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, took off from Runway 23 en route to London Gatwick. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the pilots sent a MAYDAY distress call shortly after liftoff, but there was no response from the aircraft thereafter. Seconds later, it crashed into a densely populated residential area near BJ Medical College, engulfing the site in flames.

In a statement, the DGCA said, “The aircraft fell to the ground just outside the airport perimeter, following its departure from Runway 23.”

Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson addressed the tragedy in a video message. “While investigations will take time, we are taking every immediate step to support the families and cooperate fully with the authorities,” he said.

The AAIB, operating under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, will lead the investigation in line with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).