Air India 171 Was it Pilots Fault ? Flaps vs Gear Controversy

Summary

In this video, the speaker critically addresses a theory circulating online regarding the crash of an Air India 787, speculating that the pilots might have mistakenly retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear. The speaker challenges this theory by explaining the physical and procedural barriers to such an error, pointing out the improbability of the claim based on flight training, aircraft design, and systems protection. Through a detailed breakdown, the speaker debunks the flaps theory and emphasizes the complexity of the situation, calling for more thorough investigation by the relevant authorities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The theory circulating online suggests that the Indian pilots mistakenly retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear, which caused the loss of lift and the crash.
• 😀 The narrator disagrees with this theory and presents multiple reasons why it is highly improbable.
• 😀 One of the main reasons the flap retraction theory is unlikely is the significant distance between the flap and landing gear levers in the cockpit.
• 😀 Retracting the flaps is a slow process that takes about 18 seconds, providing ample time for the pilot to realize and correct any potential error.
• 😀 Aircraft like the Boeing 787 are designed to handle performance on a single engine, meaning that even with an issue, the plane would not lose significant altitude.
• 😀 Modern aircraft systems, including the slat auto-gap function, prevent errors such as accidental flap retraction from causing significant loss of lift.
• 😀 Even if the pilot mistakenly retracted the flaps, the aircraft’s systems would prevent the slats from retracting, which would protect against lift loss.
• 😀 Photos of the crash site showed that the slats were likely still deployed, further refuting the theory about lift loss due to flap retraction.
• 😀 The narrator points out that blaming the pilot is often a tactic used by companies for insurance claims, as it’s easier to pin the fault on the pilot than to address potential company or equipment failure.
• 😀 The script emphasizes that while the exact cause of the crash is still unknown, the theory about flap retraction is highly improbable based on technical knowledge and aircraft systems.

Q & A

What is the main theory being discussed in the video?

The main theory discussed in the video suggests that the pilots of India 171 may have mistakenly retracted the flaps instead of raising the landing gear, which could have caused the crash by losing lift.

Why does the speaker think the theory about the flap retraction is unlikely?

The speaker argues that the cockpit layout makes it highly unlikely for the pilots to confuse the flap and gear levers, as they are placed far apart. Additionally, the time it takes for the flaps to retract would have given the pilots enough time to correct the mistake.

What is the key difference between the flap and gear levers in the cockpit?

The gear handle is located further away from the flap handle, requiring the pilot to lean forward to reach it, while the flap handle is positioned more directly accessible. This makes it difficult to confuse the two.

How long does it take for the flaps to retract in a typical aircraft like the Boeing 787?

The speaker demonstrated that it takes about 18 seconds for the flaps to move from one setting to another, which provides ample time for the pilot to notice and correct any error.

What is the significance of the aircraft’s engine power in this scenario?

The speaker emphasizes that even if the flaps were retracted and lift was lost, the aircraft's engines are powerful enough to maintain a safe climb and prevent a crash. The aircraft would not immediately descend dangerously due to the engines' performance.

What role do the aircraft's built-in protection systems play in preventing a crash?

The aircraft has systems, such as the slat autocap function, designed to prevent catastrophic errors. If the pilot mistakenly retracted the flaps, the systems would automatically extend the slats to maintain lift, preventing the aircraft from losing altitude rapidly.

What is the slat autocap function, and how does it work?

The slat autocap function is a safety feature that automatically extends the slats to produce more lift if there is a loss of lift, such as when the flaps are retracted. This function kicks in if the aircraft's speed is below 225 knots and the angle of attack is high.

What did the crash site photos reveal about the aircraft's slats?

The crash site photos showed that the slats were still extended, which contradicts the theory that a flap error caused the aircraft to lose lift.

What is the speaker's overall stance on the theory of flap retraction causing the crash?

The speaker strongly disagrees with the theory that flap retraction caused the crash. He argues that the systems in place would have prevented this from being the sole cause of the crash.

What does the speaker believe is the proper way to analyze the cause of the crash?

The speaker believes that the real cause of the crash will be revealed through official investigations, and that oversimplifying the cause to pilot error or flap retraction does not account for the complexities of aviation systems.