Air India Crash: What Are Thrust & Maximum Thrust In Aviation And When Are They Used?

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Some initial reports suggest that the aircraft's thrust during takeoff didn't generate enough power and failed, leading to the crash
An Air India flight crashed near the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday, with initial reports suggesting at least 242 people were onboard. The plane crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad. The plane was carrying 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and one Canadian passenger. Aside from the pilot and first officer, there were also 10 crew members on board. According to reports, more than 130 people have been killed.
According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC) from Runway 23. It issued a MAYDAY call shortly after takeoff, but there was no further response to ATC communications. The aircraft crashed just outside the airport perimeter moments later. Eyewitnesses and officials reported thick black smoke rising from the crash site.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that an Air India Boeing 787 aircraft, bearing registration VT-ANB and operating flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed immediately after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. 'There were 242 persons on board the aircraft, including 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew," the DGCA said in a statement.
Some initial reports suggest that the aircraft's thrust during takeoff didn't generate enough power and failed, leading to the crash.
What is thrust?
Thrust is the fundamental force propelling an aircraft forward, overcoming drag to enable flight. Generated by the aircraft's engines, thrust is a reaction force produced by accelerating a mass of air or gas rearward, in accordance with Newton's Third Law of Motion (for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction). An engine produces more thrust by either accelerating a greater volume of air or increasing the air's acceleration rate.
For commercial aircraft, turbofan engines are the primary source of thrust. These engines draw in a large volume of air, some of which bypasses the core combustion chamber and is accelerated by a large fan. The remaining air is compressed, mixed with fuel, ignited, and expelled at high velocity as exhaust gases, providing additional thrust. This design balances power and fuel efficiency, crucial for long-haul flights.
Maximum Thrust: It refers to the highest thrust an aircraft engine can produce, a vital but seldom-used metric in everyday operations. Engines have different thrust ratings based on the phase of flight and conditions:
Takeoff Thrust: This is the maximum thrust allowed for takeoff. Pilots often use a 'derated" or 'flex" thrust for takeoff, which is less than the absolute maximum. This reduces engine wear, saves fuel, and lowers noise, provided runway length, aircraft weight, and atmospheric conditions allow for a safe takeoff at reduced power. Full maximum takeoff thrust is reserved for critical situations like short runways, high-altitude airports, high temperatures, or maximum takeoff weight.
Climb Thrust: The thrust setting used to achieve the desired climb rate after takeoff. It is generally higher than cruise thrust but often less than maximum takeoff thrust.
Maximum Continuous Thrust (MCT): This is the highest thrust level an engine can sustain for an extended period without causing damage. It is typically used during certain abnormal conditions or for maintaining altitude in challenging weather.
Go-Around/Missed Approach Thrust (TOGA): This is a high thrust setting used when a pilot decides to abort a landing and go around for another attempt. It provides enough power for a rapid climb to safety.
Emergency Thrust: True maximum thrust, often exceeding standard operational limits, is typically reserved for critical emergencies such as severe windshear escape manoeuvres, terrain avoidance, or upset recoveries.
Thrust and Maximum Thrust for the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is powered by two high-bypass turbofan engines, with a choice between two manufacturers: General Electric GEnx-1B and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000.
The thrust ratings for the 787-8's engines generally range from 53,000 to 75,000 pounds-force (lbf) per engine. For instance, the GEnx-1B engine can produce a maximum thrust of around 74,000 lbf, while specific variants of the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, like the Trent 1000-TEN, can generate up to 78,000 lbf per engine.
This immense power allows the 787-8 to achieve its impressive range and fuel efficiency, carrying between 210 and 248 passengers over long distances. While capable of producing these high thrust levels, the engines typically operate at much lower settings during cruise flight, where thrust only needs to balance the aircraft's drag.
Maximum thrust, or close to it, is primarily engaged during takeoff and in specific emergency scenarios to ensure the aircraft's safety and performance.
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tags :
Ahmedabad Plane Crash Air India
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
June 12, 2025, 17:02 IST
News explainers Air India Crash: What Are Thrust & Maximum Thrust In Aviation And When Are They Used?