What could have gone wrong? A pilot & an ex-crew member reflect on AI 171 crash & rules of takeoff

The Print

2 days ago

'It is unusual for a jet to face issues seconds after takeoff when it has maximum power and full fuel,' the 27-year-old IndiGo pilot told ThePrint on the condition of anonymity.
New Delhi: A first pilot with IndiGo recalled feeling 'shocked' and 'perplexed' as she watched the video of Air India Flight 171 crashing into a hostel building, which housed medical students, on the screen.
She said she believed either a bird strike or the failure of both engines of the plane led to the crash, while emphasising that only a thorough probe and black box analysis could uncover the truth behind the tragedy.
Only one passenger survived, whereas 241 others on board lost their lives, according to a statement issued by Air India. The incident also left several students of BG Medical College and Civil Hospital dead when the plane made an impact.
While speculation about what could have gone wrong seconds after AI 171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been circulating, there has so far been no confirmation on why the aircraft nosedived soon after lifting off from the runway.
The black box, however, was retrieved Friday.
Discussing her theory, the IndiGo pilot said, 'Every airport has a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen),' adding that it included 'expected bird activity' for the Ahmedabad airport. 'The Ahmedabad airport is known for its high number of bird activities.'
The NOTAM at an airport refers to a critical piece of information used to alert pilots and other aviation personnel of temporary changes or hazards that could affect flight operations. Such notices are essential for ensuring safety and efficiency in the air.
Explaining why she thought it could also be a double-engine failure, the pilot who flies Airbus A320 told ThePrint that mandatory refresher training for pilots on managing single-engine failure takes place every six months. However, she added, a double-engine failure is far more challenging. While noting that a pilot now can manage a double-engine failure mid-air, thanks to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), she maintained that it can be complex.
'In a double-engine failure mid-air, an aeroplane does not just plummet but glides. The APU provides power for essential systems such as electrical and hydraulic operations, as well as bleeds air, which allows engine restart attempts,' she explained.
The Netflix film Sully famously depicted this particular scenario. It tells the true story of the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River and Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger, the pilot who saved the day. In that case, the Airbus A320 crash-landed in the river shortly after takeoff, and despite zero fatalities, the captain faced intense scrutiny, along with sudden fame.
Explaining the present case, the IndiGo pilot said, 'The Air India aircraft collapsed moments after takeoff. The reaction time for the pilots was minimal—you have to pull the landing gear up, retract flaps, and change the frequency.'
Also Read: 'Saw huge blast, sky still black.' Eyewitness on Air India flight crashing into civil hospital hostel
Checks before takeoff
Lapses in pre-departure checks or communication are among the early speculations on what could have caused the AI 171 crash.
However, a former IndiGo crew member cautioned, 'In aviation, it is rarely a single factor. More often, it is a chain of small oversights that culminate in a major event.'
Leading the content team at a marketing firm now, the ex-IndiGo crew member emphasised it was not always about negligence and that sometimes, the pressure to be quick could make things go wrong. 'To be honest, the pressure to maintain on-time performance is real. Under pressure, some checks can feel routine. And yes, there is a possibility that certain things get taken for granted.'
'The clock can sometimes overshadow caution,' she added.
Having flown on the Airbus A320 in the course of her short stint in the air, she stressed that emergency training for cabin crew is more than a one-time lesson—it is an ongoing exercise. 'It does not end after initial training. There are annual refresher courses, where crew members are tested on practical drills, not just theory,' she added.
Recounting the pre-flight procedures, she described how the ground staff first inspected the aircraft exterior, looking for leaks, damage, proper fueling, and secure cargo. 'Then, pilots run through an exhaustive cockpit checklist—navigation systems, weather conditions, brakes, hydraulics, fuel levels. No lever or warning light goes unchecked,' she said.
The cabin crew follow rigorous routines, verifying emergency equipment, checking exit doors, testing lighting systems, inspecting lavatories, ensuring smoke detectors are active, and confirming they have stocked all supplies, among other functions.
'During an emergency, the crew are not just attendants—they become leaders, responders, and protectors. They have seconds to make decisions, and those decisions can mean everything. Behind those calm faces and crisp uniforms are those who have practised walking through fire, literally,' she said.
The IndiGo pilot quoted earlier echoed her sentiments, saying the crew members and pilots have to follow all procedures meticulously all the time. She also highlighted that pilots can't always detect engine issues on the ground.
After every flight, the pilot and co-pilot are supposed to document any abnormal activity or issues they noticed during flight. 'Then, it is the responsibility of the engineer to address these reports before the plane takes off again,' she explained.
Reflecting on the Ahmedabad crash, the ex-crew member called it a stark reminder that in aviation, there is no room for assumptions. 'The sky can get heavy sometimes. And the rules in the airspace are written in blood. Therefore, every step, every inspection, every protocol exists because, at some point, it saved lives, or could have.'
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
Also Read: She was all set to fly to London on Air India flight 171. A traffic jam saved her life