Why a 5-Year-Old UK Incident is a Key Focus in the Air India 787 Crash Probe

Past UK Incident Becomes a Key Focus in Ahmedabad Crash Probe

Investigators probing the fatal crash of Air India flight AI-171 are closely examining a 2020 incident at London's Gatwick Airport as they piece together the cause of the tragedy in Ahmedabad. The UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), which investigated the Gatwick event, is now on-site in Ahmedabad, providing expertise as evidence points toward a catastrophic power failure immediately after takeoff.

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A Theory of Sudden Power Loss

The current working theory, based on visual evidence, wreckage inspection, and statements from air traffic control, is that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner suffered a major electrical system failure within seconds of becoming airborne. This left the pilots with virtually no time or altitude to enact recovery procedures. The aircraft had only reached an altitude of 625 feet, far short of the minimum 3,600 feet considered necessary for the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)—a backup power generator—to effectively allow for a controlled glide or turnaround. Officials believe the pilots likely attempted to regain manual control, but the lack of altitude made a recovery impossible.

The Gatwick Parallel

The investigation is drawing parallels to a February 2020 incident at Gatwick, where an Airbus A321 experienced a dual-engine malfunction shortly after takeoff due to fuel system contamination. In that case, the aircraft successfully returned to the airport after declaring a Mayday. A critical difference, investigators note, was that the Gatwick flight had reached an altitude of nearly 3,600 feet, giving the crew the crucial buffer needed to manage the emergency. The findings from that UK AAIB probe are now serving as a vital reference for the current investigation.

The Hunt for Evidence

The probe's focus has now turned to the aircraft's recent history and physical evidence. Investigators are meticulously reviewing the technical logs of AI-171 for the 24 to 48 hours preceding the crash to check for any noted abnormalities or maintenance issues. Fuel contamination is being strongly considered as a potential cause of the power loss, and forensic teams are analyzing wreckage for any unusual elements. The investigation is hampered by the fact that the recovered "black box" flight data and cockpit voice recorders were severely damaged in the crash and subsequent fire. Officials are considering sending the devices to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for specialized assistance in data extraction. While sabotage is not currently suspected, determining whether a potential fuel contamination was due to oversight, negligence, or a system malfunction is a top priority.