AI crash: Did engines fail during takeoff? Clue found at 625 feet; WSJ report sparks new doubt
A Wall Street Journal report has revealed that Air India Flight 171's emergency power system, known as the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), was active just 50 seconds after takeoff, raising fresh concerns about a possible engine failure. The crash, which occurred near Ahmedabad and killed 241 people, is now under deeper scrutiny as investigators probe critical system malfunctions.
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Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Boeing 787 Dreamliner's emergency system likely active before Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad: Report
Amid probes into the Air India plane crash in Gujarat's Ahmedabad that killed 270 people, investigators believe the Boeing Dreamliner had its emergency-power generator operating when it crashed, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the probe. The Wall Street Journal reported that preliminary findings into the probe have stated that the emergency system of the 787 Dreamliner - called the ram air turbine - was likely to be active at the time of the crash in Ahmedabad. Citing Dreamliner's manual, WSJ reported that the emergency system of the aircraft can 'deploy automatically in flight if both engines have failed or if all three hydraulic system pressures are low'. Also Read: 66 Dreamliner flights cancelled since fatal Air India crash that killed 270 Anthony Brickhouse, a US-based aerospace safety consultant, told WSJ that pilots can also deploy the emergency system manually if needed. Air India flight 171 from Ahmedabad to London's Gatwick airport took off on June 12 from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, only to crash moments later. As per the initial findings, the flight reached an altitude of 625 feet in the air before it stopped transmitting data. The incident also marked the first fatal accident for a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since it first came into the market in 2011. Also Read: 'Mayday!': Air India pilot's final message before Ahmedabad plane crash The last mayday call from the pilot also stated that the plane was unable to achieve any thrust as it crashed a few kilometres away into a hostel of BJ Medical college. The flight was carrying of total of 242 passengers, including 12 cabin crew. Of the 242 people, only one passenger - Vishwas Kumar Ramesh - survived the plane crash. The plane crash also killed a total of 29 people on ground when it crashed into the medical student's hostel.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
After Air India crash, growing number of flyers considering aircraft type before booking: Survey
Following the fatal Air India 171 crash, more Indian air travellers say they will factor in aircraft type while booking flights — 41 per cent now, up from just 10 per cent in 2022, according to a survey by LocalCircles, a social media-based community polling firm. Over half the respondents (56 per cent) also supported grounding the Boeing 787-8 until safety concerns are resolved, the survey said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said no major safety concerns have been found in the recent surveillance conducted on Air India's Boeing 787 fleet following the crash on June 12, which killed all but one of the 242 people on board. At the same time, the apex civil aviation authority raised concerns over recent maintenance-related issues reported by the airline in a meeting with senior Air India group officials. Around 19,600 respondents, all claiming to be air travellers, answered the question, 'If you plan to undertake air travel in the coming months, what all would you be looking at before booking/travel?' While only 10 per cent chose 'aircraft type' in a 2022 LocalCircles poll, the latest survey showed that figure has jumped to 41 per cent, indicating that aircraft type is becoming a growing consideration for Indian flyers. Still, aircraft type ranked lower than other factors such as airfare (73 per cent), flight timings (64 per cent), airline (59 per cent), and flight connections and duration (41 per cent). In response to whether the Indian government should 'consider grounding the 787-8 aircraft till the issues are sorted,' 56 per cent of 20,742 respondents said 'yes,' while 34 per cent opposed grounding without clear evidence of a problem. About 10 per cent remained undecided. Of the over 40,000 total responses received across both questions, 61 per cent were from men and 31 per cent from women. Respondents were largely urban, with 47 per cent from tier-1 cities, 32 per cent from tier-2, and the remaining 21 per cent from other towns and rural areas. Following the crash last week, the DGCA had directed Air India to carry out additional maintenance inspections on all 33 of its 787s. The enhanced checks ordered include a one-time pre-departure check of aircraft systems and parameters including fuel parameters monitoring and associated system, cabin air compressor and associated systems, electronic engine control system, engine fuel-driven actuator and oil system, hydraulic system serviceability, and take-off parameters. On Saturday, Air India announced that the checks were being performed, and informed passengers that some of these could 'lead to higher turnaround time and potential delays on certain long-haul routes especially those to airports with operating curfews'. Aggam Walia is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, reporting on power, renewables, and mining. His work unpacks intricate ties between corporations, government, and policy, often relying on documents sourced via the RTI Act. Off the beat, he enjoys running through Delhi's parks and forests, walking to places, and cooking pasta. ... Read More
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
DNA Of Manipur Flight Attendant Matched, Family To Bring Body Via Dimapur
Guwahati: The body of one of the two flight attendants from Manipur who was killed in the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad has been identified from DNA samples, the family has said. The family of Lamnunthem Singson will take her body from Ahmedabad to Dimapur in Nagaland first, and then by road from Dimapur to their rented house in Manipur's Kangpokpi, some 165 km away. After the authorities confirmed the DNA sample match, the family said arrangements are being made to transport the body to Dimapur on Thursday morning. The exact flight schedule is yet to be worked out, they said. The loss of their loved one in the Dreamliner crash has left not only the family of Lamnunthem heartbroken and devastated, but members of the Thadou tribe in Kangpokpi too, many of whom visited the family to pay respects and offer condolences. Lamnunthem and her family once lived in Imphal's Old Lambulane, but had to leave after ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023. Since then, her family has been living in Kangpokpi district as internally displaced persons, or IDPs. The other flight attendant from Manipur who was killed in the crash was K Nganthoi Sharma, who lived in Thoubal district. Her family is still waiting for a DNA match. The Manipur government on June 16 said it was fully prepared to receive the bodies of the two flight attendants at Imphal airport, and "necessary arrangements have been made to ensure that their remains are treated with the highest dignity and respect, and subsequently transported safely to their respective homes." "However, the final decision regarding the mode of reception, ceremonies and other arrangements is respectfully left to the bereaved families. The state is committed to providing all necessary support as per their wishes," the government said. PRESS NOTE Imphal, 16ᵗʰ June 2025 Tragic Loss of Two Brave Manipuri Daughters in Ahmedabad Plane Crash - preparations regarding receiving their mortal remains. It is with profound sorrow and a heavy heart that the Government and people of Manipur mourn the untimely and tragic... — Government of Manipur (@govt_of_manipur) June 16, 2025 Civil society organisations in the state capital Imphal had also sought cooperation from the public to ensure access to the airport to members of all communities, and assured free movement. The news website The Print reported that Lamnunthem's cousin, N Kipgen, said the family doesn't want her body to be brought via Imphal and is willing to take the longer route via Dimapur. "We do not want to politicise my sister's remains. We requested the authorities to take the Dimapur route because our extended family is there. Secondly, it is not safe for us to travel via Imphal under any circumstances," N Kipgen told The Print before the DNA sample match confirmation came. "We are patiently waiting for the DNA results. We do not know how long we have to wait, but we do not want to be a spectacle." A joint meeting of civil society organisations in Kangpokpi, however, decided that Kuki Students' Organisation members will receive the body at Dimapur airport in Nagaland, from where they will escort the remains on National Highway 2 to Manipur's Kangpokpi. In Kangpokpi, the town committee will form a human chain and hold a candlelight vigil till Lamnunthem's place. 'Some Running Narrative, Unfortunate' The Thadou Students' Association (TSA) on June 16 had expressed concern over what it called were "false narratives circulating on social media, including claims that Imphal airport is inaccessible for the family of late Lamnunthem Singson." "... It is also unfortunate that some vested interests/individuals/organisations are politicising the issue for their own interests, which are best known to them. TSA would like to reiterate that this is not a time to propagate your own narrative for scoring brownie points but rather to stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. We urge the government to monitor and act firmly against those spreading hateful comments or rumors during this sensitive time," TSA secretary general Thangminlun Haokip had said. The civil society organisation, Meitei Heritage Society, on Wednesday said running narratives "is immoral and simply wrong to exploit this human tragedy for a vested interest by playing politics over bodies." "We urge these groups to show some humanity and spare the families of the departed souls for their dirty politics. Instead, let's come together to mourn the deaths of our state's daughters who died in their line of duties and honour them with dignity, who greatly deserved such love and respect, in their final trip back home," a MHS spokesperson told reporters.
