Latest news with #SumeetSabharwal
Time of India
3 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Pilots, experts grapple with Guj crash videos
1 2 3 Kolkata: Veteran pilots, who told TOI about the possibility of inadvertently switching off the second live engine in the Air India Dreamliner in the event of the stalling of the first engine during take-off, have identified another error that might have occurred in the cockpit during the critical take-off phase: the retraction of flaps that assist lift instead of the landing gear that causes drag. "After take-off, when instruments show positive climb rate, the monitoring pilot announces 'positive rate'. The flying pilot verifies and commands 'gear up' to retract landing gear. This sequence occurs seconds after lift-off, approximately 100 ft above ground, to reduce drag and enhance lift. The pilot might have mistakenly retracted the flaps, crucial for lift, instead of the gear," a seasoned pilot explained. The impact of such an error, if it occurred, will be confirmed only after experts analyse the Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder. Video evidence of the 31-second flight shows the landing gear remaining deployed even as the aircraft exceeded 600 ft before descending and crashing on a populated area. But the footage quality prevents confirmation of flap positions. "Retracting flaps, while the landing gear remains down, reduce lift. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo The aircraft, carrying fuel for a 10-hour journey, required maximum lift. The deployed landing gear at crash time suggests either pilot distraction during an emergency or an error," the pilot said. He noted that Ahmedabad's high temperature (around 40°C) created thin air, hampering lift and engine performance, reducing thrust during take-off and ascent. Though such errors should not occur with experienced crew members, like AI 171's (Capt Sumeet Sabharwal: 8,200 hours, First Officer Clive Kunder: 1,100 hours), a source pointed at the co-pilot's previous experience on Airbus A320 before Boeing Dreamliner training. "Different manufacturers have distinct cockpit configurations. Pilots should ideally progress within the same manufacturer's aircraft family. The co-pilot should have advanced to an A330, but pilot shortages may have prevented this," the source explained. Another pilot suggested an incident during the final take-off might have distracted the crew, leading to errors with insufficient reaction time. But an experienced aviator differed with the suggestion, pointing out that the Boeing Dreamliner's sophisticated flight control system incorporates multiple safety mechanisms. These include prevention of stalling through pitch-up restrictions, speed control via elevator and auto-throttle adjustments, automatic trimming for stability and safeguards against extreme banking angles and G-force loads. Pilots agree that regardless of mechanical or human factors, the event occurred when corrective action time was minimal. Additional altitude would have provided more response time, but the available 20 seconds proved insufficient. Kolkata: Veteran pilots, who told TOI about the possibility of inadvertently switching off the second live engine in the Air India Dreamliner in the event of the stalling of the first engine during take-off, have identified another error that might have occurred in the cockpit during the critical take-off phase: the retraction of flaps that assist lift instead of the landing gear that causes drag. "After take-off, when instruments show positive climb rate, the monitoring pilot announces 'positive rate'. The flying pilot verifies and commands 'gear up' to retract landing gear. This sequence occurs seconds after lift-off, approximately 100 ft above ground, to reduce drag and enhance lift. The pilot might have mistakenly retracted the flaps, crucial for lift, instead of the gear," a seasoned pilot explained. The impact of such an error, if it occurred, will be confirmed only after experts analyse the Digital Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder. Video evidence of the 31-second flight shows the landing gear remaining deployed even as the aircraft exceeded 600 ft before descending and crashing on a populated area. But the footage quality prevents confirmation of flap positions. "Retracting flaps, while the landing gear remains down, reduce lift. The aircraft, carrying fuel for a 10-hour journey, required maximum lift. The deployed landing gear at crash time suggests either pilot distraction during an emergency or an error," the pilot said. He noted that Ahmedabad's high temperature (around 40°C) created thin air, hampering lift and engine performance, reducing thrust during take-off and ascent. Though such errors should not occur with experienced crew members, like AI 171's (Capt Sumeet Sabharwal: 8,200 hours, First Officer Clive Kunder: 1,100 hours), a source pointed at the co-pilot's previous experience on Airbus A320 before Boeing Dreamliner training. "Different manufacturers have distinct cockpit configurations. Pilots should ideally progress within the same manufacturer's aircraft family. The co-pilot should have advanced to an A330, but pilot shortages may have prevented this," the source explained. Another pilot suggested an incident during the final take-off might have distracted the crew, leading to errors with insufficient reaction time. But an experienced aviator differed with the suggestion, pointing out that the Boeing Dreamliner's sophisticated flight control system incorporates multiple safety mechanisms. These include prevention of stalling through pitch-up restrictions, speed control via elevator and auto-throttle adjustments, automatic trimming for stability and safeguards against extreme banking angles and G-force loads. Pilots agree that regardless of mechanical or human factors, the event occurred when corrective action time was minimal. Additional altitude would have provided more response time, but the available 20 seconds proved insufficient. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
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First Post
12 hours ago
- General
- First Post
Did accidental flap retraction cause the Air India crash? An aviation expert's theory is going viral
Captain Steve, an aviation expert, suggests that a critical cockpit error may have triggered the tragic Air India crash, which killed 274 people. He believes that pilots may have accidentally retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear during the initial climb, a move he described as 'a tragic mistake'. However, this is speculation and an investigation into the tragedy has been launched read more Air India plane crash: According to Captain Steve, the pilots may have accidentally retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear during the initial climb, a move he described as 'a tragic mistake.' AFP Days after the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad — one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the country's history — a new theory is making waves online about what might have gone wrong. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI-171, was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when it crashed into a residential hostel shortly after takeoff. The incident claimed the lives of at least 274 people, including passengers, crew, and people on the ground. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Now, a video by international aviation expert Captain Steve is going viral on X (formerly Twitter). In it, he offers a possible explanation for the tragedy, suggesting that a critical cockpit error may have triggered the crash. The aircraft was flown by two highly experienced pilots on board. The pilots were identified as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, who had over 9,000 hours of flying experience. According to Captain Steve, the pilots may have accidentally retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear during the initial climb, a move he described as 'a tragic mistake.' But first, what are airplane flaps, and what do they do? Flaps are movable panels located along the trailing edge of an aircraft's wings. They are extended during takeoff and landing to increase the wing's surface area, which provides more 'lift', an aerodynamic force that keeps the plane airborne. Flaps are movable panels located along the trailing edge of an aircraft's wings. Image for Representation. This additional lift is crucial during low-speed flight, like takeoff or landing. On the Boeing 787, the standard procedure is to set flaps to 5 (or higher) for takeoff, then gradually retract them only as the aircraft climbs and picks up speed. Flaps are adjusted manually by either pilot, depending on the situation. In cruise flight, they remain retracted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What Captain Steve believes went wrong In a conversation with CNN-News18, Captain Steve explained what he thinks happened in the cockpit moments after takeoff. As the aircraft begins to climb, the usual command is given: 'Gear up.' But, he asked, what if the co-pilot accidentally pulled the flap lever instead of the gear lever? 'If that happened — and this is a big if — this explains a lot about why this airplane stopped flying, why the lift over the wings died,' Steve said. At the low speeds of takeoff, retracting the flaps too soon would instantly reduce lift, he said. Combine that with the landing gear still extended, which increases drag, and you have a 'bad combination,' he explained. He breaks it down further: 'The flaps are retracting, all that extra lift you're producing in the wings goes away. You're already slow… and those great big landing gears are still down, creating drag. This is a bad combination.' What really happened to AI-171? Captain Steeve has now shared his theory on the Air India #PlaneCrash. — Mohit Chauhan (@mohitlaws) June 13, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the viral video, Captain Steve points out that the nose of the plane initially rises to about 2.5 degrees — but it doesn't go any higher. 'The gear never moves. The wings barely flex. That's a visual sign — very little lift is being generated,' he noted. Seconds later, the nose begins to drop. 'That's the airplane trying to create more airflow over the wings to compensate. But it's too slow, too heavy. The lift is gone.' In Steve's words, the pilot may have tried one final manoeuvre to save the flight — pulling the nose up even more. 'The airplane begins to kind of wallow… the pilot pulls back even more on the nose. That aggravates the whole thing." 'They might've had a chance at 1,500 feet, maybe even 1,000, to recover,' he said. 'But they never got there.' Ruling out engine loss, the bird strike theories Captain Steve also dismisses other common theories doing the rounds online, like dual engine failure or a bird strike. He also notes that both engines appear to be working normally in the available footage. 'No flames, no sparks. Nothing to suggest a power failure.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the theory that birds could've hit the engines, Steve is doubtful. 'Could both engines have been taken out by a flock of birds? Possible — but we'd expect to see smoke, fire, or debris. There's none.' Members of the security forces work at the site of an airplane that crashed in India's northwestern city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat state, June 12, 2025. AP He also rules out fuel contamination. 'The engines showed no signs of sputtering on the roll. Everything up to rotation looked textbook.' For Captain Steve, the signs point not to mechanical failure, but to an aerodynamic one. A plane can still lose lift even with working engines, especially if the flaps are mistakenly retracted too early. 'It's heartbreaking,' he concludes. 'These pilots may have done everything they could. But in those few seconds, the margin for error was razor-thin. And one wrong move may have cost 241 lives.' While this is just a theory, investigators are now analysing the aircraft's black box and trying to uncover what really happened. With input from agencies
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Israel BLOWS UP Iranian Military Bases In REVENGE, Bleeds 2 More Iranians
At Least 5 Students Dead as Air India Flight Crashes Into BJ Medical College Hostel in Ahmedabad At least Five medical students, including four undergraduates and a postgraduate doctor, have died after an Air India Dreamliner crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel just minutes after takeoff. The Boeing 787-8, operating as Flight AI171 to London, carried 242 people when it failed to gain altitude and slammed into the student campus. Witnesses say 30–50 students and staff were inside the hostel dining area during lunch. Disturbing visuals show food plates abandoned and a mangled part of the aircraft embedded in the hostel wall. Nearly 40 doctors have also been injured — one critically. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had issued a Mayday call seconds before the crash. This is one of the most catastrophic aviation disasters in Indian history, not just for passengers, but also for those on the ground. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the medical community shaken by this terrible event.#airindiacrash #bjmedicaltragedy #ai171disaster #planecrashinhostel #boeing787crash #gujaratnews #aviationtragedy #ahmedabadcrash #studentcasualties #breakingnews #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews 125.3K views | 1 day ago
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
'Mayday call at 1:39pm, then altitude loss within seconds': Aviation ministry on Air India crash
The aviation ministry on Saturday said that the pilot on the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12 sent one last radio message to Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 1.39 pm – 'Mayday'. In a press conference, civil aviation ministry secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said that the flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, took off at 1.39 pm and within seconds started losing altitude. The flight's captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, immediately made a Mayday call to ATC. Mayday is an internationally recognised emergency word which is used to send a distress signal to air traffic control. Also Read | 'I lost my father too in road accident': Aviation minister stands with grieving kin of plane crash victims 'At 1:39 pm, the pilot informed Ahmedabad ATC that it was a Mayday, i.e., full emergency. According to ATC, when it tried to contact the plane, it did not receive any response. Exactly after 1 minute, this plane crashed in Medhaninagar, which is located at a distance of about 2 km from the airport,' Sinha was quoted as saying by ANI news agency. He further said that before the crash, the plane had completed the Paris-Delhi-Ahmedabad sector without any accident. Also Read | Ahmedabad crash: One more body recovered from Air India plane's tail 'Due to the accident, the runway was closed at 2:30 pm and after completing all the protocols, the runway of Ahmedabad was opened for limited flights from 5pm,' he pointed out. On June 12, Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner (AI 171), carrying 242 passengers and crew members, crashed into a medical hostel complex in Ahmedabad's Meghaninagar area shortly after its departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. One person survived the crash, while 241 on board were killed. Of the total passengers onboard, there were 169 Indians, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals, apart from 12 crew members. Over 20 people were killed in the medical college complex, where the doomed flight crashed. Earlier on Friday, investigators recovered the Black box of the London-bound Air India plane from the rooftop of the medical college hostel. Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has said that the black box will provide in-depth insight into what happened moments before the plane crash.
The Guardian
16 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
Air India captain sent mayday less than minute before crash, say authorities
'Mayday, mayday,' was the final radio message sent by the pilot of the Air India 171 flight bound for London, moments before it crashed to the ground, killing more than 270 people. In a briefing by India's aviation authorities on Saturday, authorities confirmed that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was piloting the flight, sent a distress call to air traffic control less a minute after it took off from Ahmedabad airport at 1:39pm on Thursday. When air traffic control responded to the pilot's emergency mayday call, 'there was no response', said Samir Kumar Sinha, a secretary for India's aviation ministry. He said the plane went down seconds later. Sinha said that initial investigations had shown the plane had reached a height of 650ft after takeoff, after which it began to rapidly descend and hit the ground in Meghani Nagar, 2km from Ahmedabad airport. The 227-tonne plane crashed into a hostel where medical students and their families were living. All but one of the 242 people on board were killed in what was one of India's worst aviation disasters in decades. The collision with the hostel also killed at least three student doctors and one doctor's wife who was heavily pregnant, as well as several labourers and vendors working in the area. Indian aviation authorities would not be drawn into conjecture on the cause of the crash of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which has been the source of global speculation, but emphasised that 'every theory going around about the crash will be looked at'. Sinha said the flight data recorder, known as the black box, of the flight had been recovered and was being looked into by investigators A complete assessment of the incident would be completed within three months. Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the civil aviation minister, told the press briefing: 'The decoding of this black box is going to give in-depth insight into what would have actually happened during the process of the crash.' A team of four UK aviation accident experts arrived in Ahmedabad, in the west Indian state of Gujarat, on Friday night to assist in the crash investigation. By Saturday morning, the death toll had risen to at least 274, as investigators continued to comb through the wreckage and another body was recovered from beneath the wing of the plane. Families of the victims continued to gather at the Civil hospital in Ahmedabad where the dead were brought, as anger and frustration grew at the delay in handing over the bodies of their loved ones. Anil Patel, who lost his son Harshit, 30, and daughter-in-law Pooja, 28, in the crash, was increasingly agitated at the delay. He was among hundreds of relatives who had submitted DNA samples to help identify his son's body but said he had received no information since. 'We still don't know exactly when we'll get the body,' he said. He described his son and daughter in law as 'all I had left' after his wife died of cancer six years ago. Harshit had moved to London two years ago but would video call his father every day. 'Even yesterday, when I was sitting outside the postmortem block, I could smell the stench of charred bodies from inside,' said Patel. 'It's hard to accept that my son is also lying in there. I just want to bring them home soon. The longer they stay there, the more they'll deteriorate. I just can't bear the thought.' Authorities emphasised that the task of identifying the dead, many which were heavily charred or dismembered from the force of the crash, was a complex task, slowing down the process of returning the victims to their families. 'We are dealing with at least 250 samples, and for each match, we have to cross-verify it against this entire pool. It's a process of elimination, and that naturally takes time,' said one official, speaking at the hospital, emphasising that the team at the hospital had been working through the night to accurately match the DNA to the bodies. The sole surviving passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, whose escape from death was widely described as a 'miracle' by experts, remained in hospital in Ahmedabad under observation but was said to be recovering. Dr Gameti, of Ahmedabad civil hospital, said Ramesh was 'doing very well and will be ready to be discharged any time soon'.
