Dreamliner Disaster: Air India Flight Plunges Moments After Takeoff, 241 Perish in India Crash; Human Error Eyed as Probable Cause
A Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India, en route to the United Kingdom with 242 passengers and crew aboard, crashed shortly after takeoff in India’s Gujarat state, resulting in an all but total loss of life. The tragic incident, which occurred around 1:30 local time, saw the aircraft fall to the ground outside the airport perimeter, claiming 241 lives.
Of the 242 individuals on board, only one passenger, Romesh Vish was Kumar, survived. Kumar, who was seated in an exit row, is reportedly in the hospital, having apparently jumped from the plane while it was still in the air. Among the victims were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese individuals. The Dreamliner, a model typically used for large international flights, had accumulated over 41,000 hours of flying time, considered average for this aircraft type, and had not previously been involved in an incident with reported passenger fatalities.
Our analysis of the available footage and expert commentary suggests the aircraft lost lift and simply dropped from the sky. We did not observe any signs of engine failure, such as visible smoke or fire, or loud booms, before the plane’s descent. The impact was particularly devastating as the aircraft carried a full fuel load, leading to a significant explosion.
Preliminary assessments, including insights from an airline pilot with 15,000 hours of experience and physics expertise, point overwhelmingly to human error as the most probable cause of this catastrophic event. We believe the incident was an acceleration stall, a highly dangerous condition immediately after takeoff.
Key contributing factors identified include:
- Incorrect flap setting: The flaps appeared to be either still down or only slightly extended to position one instead of the required position five for takeoff. This insufficient flap setting is crucial for generating lift.
- Unretracted landing gear: The landing gear remained extended at altitude, significantly increasing drag on the aircraft.
- Insufficient speed and thrust: The aircraft likely took off with insufficient speed. This could stem from an inadequately selected thrust setting, calculated for a larger flap setting or a lighter aircraft, or even an incorrect input of takeoff weight into the flight management system.
- High angle of attack: This, combined with the insufficient flap setting, led to a stall. The aircraft effectively entered “the wrong side of the speed versus drag curve,” a scenario from which there was no escape.
An experienced pilot highlighted that the crew should have manually increased thrust immediately to maximum and retracted the landing gear. The paramount rule in aviation, “fly the plane,” may have been overlooked if the pilot became startled post-takeoff and prioritized an emergency call over direct aircraft control. Unverified reports also suggest the aircraft might have taken off prematurely, and potential miscalculations regarding air density altitude could have been a factor.
While not directly linked to the crash, an individual who was on the same aircraft just two hours before the fatal flight reported unusual conditions. They documented issues such as non-functioning air conditioning in extremely hot Delhi conditions, as well as inoperative TV screens, cabin crew call buttons, and in-flight entertainment systems. While these issues might suggest general quality concerns with Air India, which has been termed “one of the worst airlines in the world” by some, we do not believe they contributed to the crash itself.
Our hearts go out to the 240 individuals who tragically lost their lives and their families. We hope the survivor, Romesh Vish was Kumar, finds solace and healing. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and unforgiving nature of aviation, underscoring the critical importance of proper procedures and pilot adherence to training. We will continue to cover the miraculous story of the sole survivor in a separate report.
