LIVE UPDATES
AHMEDABAD, India – As grief continues to hang heavy over the aftermath of Air India Flight 171’s fatal crash, new video evidence and expert analysis have shifted the investigative spotlight toward a more chilling possibility: a dual engine failure mid-flight.
The June 12 crash of the UK-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner resulted in the deaths of 290 people, with just one survivor — 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh — pulled from the wreckage. Early theories had varied, ranging from aircraft system issues to pilot error. But a clearer frame-by-frame review of fresh footage, accompanied by audio analysis and survivor testimony, is now strengthening the case for a rare and catastrophic simultaneous engine failure.
Key Clue: Emergency Power Device Deployment
Captain Steve, a seasoned aviation analyst, revealed in a newly released recording that a key emergency device — the RAM air turbine (RAT) — is clearly visible in the new video. This small, retractable turbine deploys automatically when both engines fail, providing emergency power. The distinct whirring sound of the RAT is also clearly heard in the final seconds of the footage. This is a critical detail, suggesting the aircraft was relying on emergency power after a complete loss of engine thrust.
This revelation appears to align with survivor Ramesh’s account of a “loud bang” followed by flickering cabin lights, indicating a sudden and total loss of engine power. The RAT’s deployment is not common and is seen only in the most severe airborne emergencies, typically involving loss of both engines.
Pilot Error, Bird Strike Ruled Out
Initial reports from The Aviation Herald and further comments from Captain Steve have largely dismissed bird strikes and pilot error as the primary causes. The aircraft, piloted by veteran Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, was on a standard departure route from Ahmedabad Airport and had not reported any issues before the final distress call, which reportedly mentioned “loss of thrust.”
Given the aircraft’s modern design, which includes backup systems for power and software, the scenario of both engines failing without warning is considered highly unusual and deeply troubling. Investigators are now awaiting data from the flight recorders (black boxes), which could hold the key to understanding the chain of mechanical or systemic events that led to the crash.
Public and Regulatory Pressure Mounts
The devastating loss of life — including citizens from India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada — has drawn international attention and pressure for swift answers. Aviation safety boards in India and the UK, along with Boeing representatives, are collaborating on a comprehensive forensic investigation.
“This event is incredibly rare. The 787 is among the most reliable aircraft flying today. A simultaneous engine failure demands urgent investigation, not just of Air India’s maintenance records, but also of potential issues like fuel contamination or electronic control failure,” noted independent aviation safety consultant Meera Khosla.
Survivor’s Trauma Adds Human Weight
Vishwash Ramesh, who was travelling home to the UK, remains hospitalised and under psychological care. The trauma of being the sole survivor has added emotional complexity to the tragedy. Mental health professionals stress the long-term effects of survivor’s guilt, with recovery often dependent on sustained counselling and community support.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Authorities have outlined several immediate steps:
· Retrieval and analysis of the flight recorders (black boxes)
· Cross-referencing the distress call recordings with air traffic control logs
· Inspection of the aircraft’s fuel system and electronic engine controls
Until these threads are fully examined, families of the victims remain in limbo, hoping for clarity amidst heartbreak.
