Why Did Air India AI-171 Plane Crash? | Possible Explanations

Summary

The script analyzes the Ahmedabad plane crash, drawing comparisons to previous fatal accidents involving aircraft like McDonnell Douglas MD82 and McDonnell Douglas TC982. Key factors like the configuration of flat wings, possible engine failures, and human error are discussed. The role of technical issues, alarm systems, and maintenance failures is explored, along with the implications for the aviation industry and regulatory bodies. The video also critiques airline safety practices, highlighting past lapses in security and the limited penalties imposed by authorities, shedding light on the larger concerns within the aviation sector.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Ahmedabad plane crash was caused by a series of unusual circumstances, including flat wings, extended landing gear, and a nose-up attitude, which resulted in both takeoff and landing attempts happening simultaneously.
• 😀 Normally, plane wings extend to create lift during takeoff, but in this case, the wings remained flat, leading to reduced aerodynamics and difficulty in achieving lift, especially in hot air conditions.
• 😀 The lack of wing extension and the flat position created a significant drag force, and in such conditions, a higher speed would be needed for a successful takeoff.
• 😀 Despite the powerful engines of the Boeing 787, a plane with flat wings and extended landing gear still faces increased drag, requiring much higher speeds for lift, which was not achieved in this case.
• 😀 The crash was compared to previous crashes, such as the McDonnell Douglas MD82 crash in 2008, where a failure to extend slats and flaps resulted in a crash shortly after takeoff due to the same aerodynamic issues.
• 😀 In the 1987 crash of a McDonnell Douglas TC982 aircraft, similar issues occurred with flat wings and lack of lift, leading to a crash shortly after takeoff in hot weather conditions.
• 😀 Human error, such as failing to properly set flaps and slats, has been a factor in previous accidents and could also be the cause of the Ahmedabad crash.
• 😀 Despite the advanced alarm system in the Boeing 787, it is possible that the system was compromised or improperly maintained, preventing a warning and causing the crash.
• 😀 The investigation is ongoing, and crucial data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder is expected to reveal the exact cause of the crash.
• 😀 The current Indian Aircraft Act only allows a fine of up to 1 crore for airline companies, which is a minimal penalty compared to the severity of violations, leading to concerns about insufficient regulation and accountability in the aviation industry.

Q & A

What unusual observations were made from the footage of the Ahmedabad plane?

Three unusual things were noticed: 1) The plane's wings were retracted, meaning they were straight. 2) The landing gear of the plane did not retract. 3) The plane's nose was upward-facing, as if attempting to take off.

What is the typical configuration of a plane during takeoff, and why is the observed configuration concerning?

Typically, during takeoff, a plane's wings are spread out with a 10 to 15-degree tilt, and the landing gear retracts. This creates lift, allowing the plane to take off. In the case of the Ahmedabad plane, the wings were flat, and the landing gear remained extended, which increased drag and reduced lift, making takeoff difficult.

Why does hot weather affect the plane's ability to lift off?

Hot weather lowers the air density, which reduces the effectiveness of lift. This makes it harder for the plane to achieve the necessary lift, as the air does not support the aircraft as effectively as cooler air would.

What could happen if the slats and flaps of a plane's wings fail to open during takeoff?

If the slats and flaps fail to open, the plane's wings would remain flat, creating higher drag and reducing lift. This could prevent the plane from reaching the necessary speed for takeoff and lead to a crash.

What was the issue with the McDonald Douglas MD82 crash in 2008, and how is it related to the Ahmedabad case?

In the 2008 McDonald Douglas MD82 crash, the slats and flaps of the wings were not extended, causing the plane to take off with flat wings and inadequate speed. A similar issue was observed in the Ahmedabad crash, where the plane's wings were flat, and it did not achieve the necessary speed to lift off.

How does the takeoff speed differ for planes with flat wings compared to those with extended flaps?

For planes with flat wings, the required takeoff speed is much higher due to the increased drag. For example, the plane in the Ahmedabad case would have needed to reach a speed of at least 450 km/h to lift off with flat wings, compared to around 250 km/h with extended flaps.

Why did Air India AI171 experience a relatively stronger takeoff compared to other crashes like the Spanner and Northwest Airlines cases?

AI171, being a Boeing 787, had much more powerful engines and a larger wingspan, which allowed it to achieve a higher lift and cover more distance, despite the flat wings. However, it still failed to maintain altitude due to insufficient speed.

What role did engine failure play in the possible cause of the Ahmedabad crash?

It is possible that one or both of the plane's engines failed during takeoff, contributing to the crash. Engine failure can cause the plane to lose thrust and fail to maintain altitude, especially when the wings are flat and there is increased drag.

What is the significance of the sound recorded in a new video released after the Ahmedabad crash?

The sharp sound recorded in the video may be from a ram air turbine (RAT), which deploys in case of double engine failure, loss of electricity, or hydraulic failure. The sound and the appearance of a dot in the video may indicate that the RAT was deployed due to system failures.

What are the key findings expected from the black box data of the Ahmedabad crash?

The black boxes, including the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), will provide crucial data such as cockpit conversations, engine performance, altitude, speed, and system statuses, which will help investigators understand the exact cause of the crash.