Air India Flight AI171 Crash: Professional Aviation Analysis and Expert Insights

Executive Summary

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in 241 fatalities out of 242 people aboard. Aviation experts have begun analyzing the preliminary evidence to understand the potential causes of this devastating accident, with particular focus on possible cockpit configuration errors during the critical takeoff phase.

Flight Overview and Initial Response

Air India Flight AI171 departed Ahmedabad at 13:39 local time on June 12, 2025, carrying 242 passengers and crew members on a scheduled service to London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a 60-year-old pilot with extensive experience totaling over 8,000 flight hours accumulated during his 22-year aviation career. Co-pilot Clive Kundar served as the second-in-command for the flight.

According to India’s Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, the aircraft was carrying approximately 100 tonnes of fuel, representing nearly a full load for the long-haul international flight. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals, highlighting the international nature of this tragic event.

The emergency began almost immediately after takeoff, with Captain Sabharwal transmitting a mayday call that reportedly stated: “Mayday […] no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.” This distress communication indicates that the flight crew recognized critical problems with the aircraft’s performance during the initial climb phase.

The Accident Sequence

Following takeoff, Flight AI171 reached an altitude of approximately 625 feet before beginning its fatal descent. The aircraft impacted the ground in what witnesses described as a massive explosion, creating a visible plume of smoke that rose into the sky. The impact was so severe that it resulted in the death of 241 of the 242 people aboard the aircraft.

The sole survivor, 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated in position 11A. From his hospital bed in Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Ramesh provided crucial eyewitness testimony about the accident sequence. He described hearing a loud noise approximately 30 seconds after takeoff, followed immediately by the crash. His account emphasizes the rapid progression of events that left little time for emergency response or passenger preparation.

Ramesh’s survival and subsequent escape from the wreckage involved unbuckling himself from his seat and using his leg to push through debris before crawling to safety. His description of bodies surrounding him in the wreckage underscores the catastrophic nature of the impact and the challenges faced by emergency responders.

The accident also resulted in ground casualties, with eight local residents, including four medical students, losing their lives due to the aircraft’s impact. This additional loss of life highlights the broader community impact of aviation accidents in populated areas.

Expert Analysis of Potential Causes

Aviation experts have begun analyzing available evidence to determine the probable cause of the accident. Commercial airline pilot and aviation analyst Captain Steve has proposed a theory focusing on potential cockpit configuration errors during the critical takeoff phase.

According to Captain Steve’s analysis, the accident may have resulted from a simple but critical error in cockpit procedures. His theory suggests that when the pilot flying called for “gear up” at the appropriate time during the takeoff sequence, the co-pilot may have inadvertently raised the aircraft’s flaps instead of retracting the landing gear.

This type of error, while seemingly minor, could have catastrophic consequences during takeoff. Aircraft flaps are crucial for generating additional lift at lower airspeeds, particularly during takeoff and landing phases. If the flaps were prematurely retracted during the initial climb, the aircraft would experience a sudden loss of lift, resulting in rapid altitude and airspeed loss.

Captain Steve’s analysis explains that such a scenario would account for the aircraft’s inability to maintain climb performance, consistent with the pilot’s reported mayday call indicating loss of power and inability to lift. The rapid progression from normal takeoff to emergency descent would provide little time for crew recognition and recovery procedures.

Corroborating Expert Testimony

Former British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein has provided additional analysis supporting theories of configuration-related issues. After reviewing available video footage of the accident, Rosenschein identified several concerning observations about the aircraft’s configuration during the takeoff attempt.

Rosenschein noted that the aircraft’s landing gear appeared to remain extended, which represents an abnormal configuration for the flight phase. During normal takeoff procedures, landing gear should be retracted shortly after becoming airborne to reduce drag and improve climb performance. The apparent failure to retract the landing gear could have contributed to the aircraft’s inability to maintain adequate climb performance.

Additionally, Rosenschein observed that the aircraft’s flap configuration did not appear consistent with standard takeoff settings. He described the situation as having “clear issues” that could have prevented proper takeoff performance, characterizing the problem as likely aerodynamic in nature.

Both experts’ analyses converge on similar themes: configuration errors involving critical flight control surfaces and systems that are essential for takeoff performance. These systems include landing gear, flaps, and other aerodynamic devices that must be properly configured for each phase of flight.

Technical Analysis of Boeing 787-8 Systems

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner incorporates advanced composite materials and sophisticated flight control systems designed to enhance safety and performance. Captain Steve noted that the aircraft’s composite wings typically exhibit visible bending during takeoff as lift forces increase, a normal characteristic of the aircraft’s design.

The apparent absence of this normal wing bending in the accident aircraft has provided additional evidence supporting theories of aerodynamic configuration problems. If the aircraft’s flaps were improperly configured, the wings would not generate sufficient lift to produce the characteristic bending associated with normal takeoff performance.

The 787’s advanced systems include multiple warnings and safeguards designed to prevent configuration errors. However, these systems are not infallible, and human factors can sometimes override technological safeguards, particularly in high-workload situations such as takeoff preparation and execution.

Investigation Status and Methodology

Indian aviation authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the accident, following standard international protocols for major aviation accidents. The investigation will likely involve multiple specialized teams examining various aspects including flight operations, aircraft maintenance, air traffic control procedures, and human factors.

The investigation process typically includes examination of flight data recorders (black boxes), cockpit voice recorders, aircraft wreckage analysis, witness interviews, and detailed reconstruction of the flight’s final moments. This comprehensive approach aims to identify not only the immediate cause of the accident but also any contributing factors that may have influenced the outcome.

Given the preliminary expert analyses suggesting configuration-related issues, investigators will likely focus particular attention on cockpit procedures, crew resource management, and the aircraft’s control surface positions at the time of the accident. This analysis will help determine whether the expert theories align with physical evidence recovered from the wreckage.

Broader Aviation Safety Implications

This accident highlights the critical importance of proper aircraft configuration during takeoff operations. Even experienced flight crews can be susceptible to errors during high-workload phases of flight, emphasizing the need for robust procedural safeguards and crew resource management practices.

The aviation industry continuously works to identify and mitigate risks associated with human factors in flight operations. Configuration errors represent a known risk category that has been addressed through training programs, procedural improvements, and technological solutions designed to prevent or detect such errors.

The international nature of this accident, involving passengers from multiple countries, underscores the global impact of aviation safety issues and the importance of international cooperation in accident investigation and safety improvement initiatives.

Community and International Response

The accident has generated significant international attention and sympathy, with officials from multiple countries expressing condolences and offering assistance. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a statement describing the nation as “devastated by the air tragedy” and acknowledging the profound impact on affected families and communities.

The loss of 53 British nationals has prompted response from United Kingdom authorities, while the international passenger manifest has resulted in diplomatic communications between multiple countries. This international dimension emphasizes the global nature of modern aviation and the widespread impact of major accidents.

Local communities in Ahmedabad have also been significantly affected, both through the loss of ground casualties and the broader psychological impact of witnessing such a catastrophic event. Emergency response services, medical facilities, and support organizations have mobilized to provide assistance to survivors, families, and affected community members.

Conclusion and Future Considerations

The Air India Flight AI171 accident represents a tragic loss of life that will have lasting impacts on affected families, communities, and the aviation industry. While expert analysis has provided preliminary theories about potential causes, the official investigation will ultimately determine the factual circumstances that led to this tragedy.

The expert focus on configuration-related issues serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper procedures during all phases of flight operations. As the investigation progresses, the aviation community will closely monitor findings to identify any safety improvements that could prevent similar occurrences in the future.

The sole survivor’s account and the expert analyses provide valuable insights that will contribute to the overall understanding of this accident. The comprehensive investigation process will build upon these initial observations to develop a complete picture of the events that led to this devastating loss of life.

This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks in aviation and the constant vigilance required to maintain the highest levels of safety in commercial flight operations. The lessons learned from this investigation will undoubtedly contribute to ongoing efforts to enhance aviation safety worldwide.