Air India Crash Kills Over 260, Experts Investigate Cause
A tragic crash of Air India flight A171 on Thursday claimed over 260 lives after the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential area shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to Gatwick. Of the 242 people onboard, 241 died, along with several on the ground. The plane issued a mayday call at just 190 meters altitude before crashing.
The black box has been recovered, but its data is still being analyzed. Air India is working with Boeing and GE Aerospace to support the investigation, with experts already on-site.
Eyewitnesses described seeing the plane in flames and people jumping from buildings to escape the fire. Initial theories from aviation experts suggest a possible loss of thrust and stall. Dr. Sonya Brown noted radar data showed the aircraft lost speed after takeoff, while Prof. John McDermid said the crash happened unusually early in flight—well before reaching cruising altitude.
Weather was reportedly clear, and the aircraft was not overweight. Experts caution against premature conclusions, emphasizing the need for a full investigation.