Ahmedabad Flight Crash Reason – What We Know So Far
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport en route to London Gatwick. The aircraft carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Tragically, at least 260 people, including several on the ground, lost their lives.
Only one passenger survived the crash—Viswashkumar Ramesh, a British national, who described the horror:
“30 seconds after takeoff there was a loud noise, and then the plane crashed… There were bodies all around me.”
This catastrophe is one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters. But what exactly caused it?
Table of Contents
💥 Was It a Dual Engine Failure?
Initial speculation suggests a possible dual engine failure, but no official cause has been confirmed yet. Investigators are analyzing the black box and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) to determine what went wrong.
Expert Opinions Vary:
- ✈️ Some believe bird strikes may have caused both engines to flame out.
- 🛠️ Others suggest a mechanical fault or maintenance issue.
- ⚠️ A few experts argue dual engine failure is so rare that other causes should also be explored.
🔧 What is Dual Engine Failure?
Dual engine failure refers to the complete loss of power in both engines of an aircraft. This is extremely rare in commercial aviation.
📉 How Rare Is It?
- Occurs in less than 1 in a billion flight hours.
- Aircraft engines are built with isolated systems, so failure in one does not usually affect the other.
- Pilots undergo intense simulator training for such emergencies.
🔍 Common Causes:
- 🐦 Bird strikes (as with US Airways Flight 1549)⛽ Fuel exhaustion or contamination
- 🌩️ Severe weather (hail, ash clouds)
- ⚙️ Mechanical faults or maintenance errors
✈️ How Planes Handle Engine Failure
Aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A320 are designed to glide for miles even without power.
Key Safety Measures:
- ✅ Dual redundant systems
- ✅ Emergency power units
- ✅ Gliding capability
- ✅ Onboard computer assistance
- ✅ Trained human intervention
Pilots are trained to:
- Stabilize the aircraft
- Search for emergency landing options
- Communicate with Air Traffic Control
🎥 The Miracle on the Hudson: A Dual Engine Failure Case Study
Perhaps the most well-known case of a dual engine failure in commercial aviation occurred during US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009. This real-life event became a defining moment in aviation history and later inspired the Hollywood film Sully, starring Tom Hanks.
What Happened:
- Shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, New York, the Airbus A320 encountered a flock of Canada geese.
- Both engines ingested birds, causing an immediate dual engine failure at just 2,800 feet.
- With no engine power and limited altitude, the pilot Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles had only seconds to react.
- Unable to return to LaGuardia or divert to nearby airports, Sully made the split-second decision to ditch the plane in the Hudson River.
- The aircraft successfully landed on the river’s surface, and thanks to the crew’s calm, decisive actions, all 155 passengers and crew survived.
The event is now famously known as “The Miracle on the Hudson.”
Why It Matters:
- This case shows how rare dual engine failures can still happen—and how critical pilot training and calm under pressure are to survival.
- It also highlights the importance of bird strike prevention, a key focus in airport safety protocols today.
Relevance to the Ahmedabad Crash:
While the Air India 171 crash is still under investigation, many are drawing early comparisons to Flight 1549 due to the suspected dual engine failure and the timing—just minutes after takeoff. However, unlike the Miracle on the Hudson, 171 did not have the altitude or circumstances to enable an emergency glide or controlled crash landing, leading to the tragic outcome.
🗂️ Other Confirmed Dual Engine Failures
| Flight | Date | Cause | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scandinavian Airlines 751 | Dec 27, 1991 | Ice ingestion | All 129 survived |
| Dana Air 0992 | June 3, 2012 | Unknown engine fault | 165 fatalities |
| Centurion Air Cargo 164 | July 7, 2008 | Engine #1 and #4 failed | Crew survived; 2 ground deaths |
📉 Why Are Dual Failures So Unlikely?
- Engines are independent systems.
- Fuel, electrical, and control lines are duplicated.
- Bird strikes or other causes must affect both engines simultaneously, which is extremely rare.
🧾 What Caused the Ahmedabad Flight Crash?
Although not confirmed, a dual engine failure is being considered. Some experts point toward:
- Possible bird strike during takeoff
- Sudden loss of engine power, which prevented the aircraft from gaining altitude
- Maintenance oversight or technical fault
Black box data and voice records are under analysis. Results will tell if this tragedy was avoidable.
💰 Tata Group's Response to the Tragedy
In the wake of the disaster, Tata Group, which owns Air India, announced:
- ₹1 crore compensation for each victim’s family.
- Medical care for the injured
- Full support to the investigation
- Reconstruction of B J Medical Hostel nearby
While this financial support is commendable, many are questioning:
Could the crash have been prevented?
🤔 Who Is to Blame?
It’s too early to say. The aircraft’s captain had significant flight hours and experience. The crash occurred within 2–3 minutes of takeoff, leaving little time for decision-making.
The investigation will answer:
- Were the engines in proper condition?
- Were safety inspections skipped?
- Was human error involved?
- Could a Sully-like decision have saved lives?
✅ Final Thoughts
The Ahmedabad Flight Crash Reason is still under investigation. While dual engine failure is rare, this tragedy resembles the Miracle on the Hudson—only without the miracle. Whether it’s mechanical negligence, bird strike, or human error, one thing is clear: aviation safety must remain a top priority.
This tragic event serves as a wake-up call. With better protocols, training, and timely decisions—many lives could be saved in the future.
FAQ
Q1. What happened in the Ahmedabad Flight Crash on June 12, 2025?
The Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, killing at least 260 people. Only one passenger survived.
Q2. Is dual engine failure the confirmed cause?
No, the cause is not confirmed. Dual engine failure is a strong possibility but will only be verified after black box and CVR analysis.
Q3. What is dual engine failure in aviation?
It refers to the simultaneous loss of power in both engines of an aircraft, which is extremely rare in modern aviation.
Q4. How rare is dual engine failure?
According to global aviation data, it happens in less than 1 in a billion flight hours.
Q5. What famous incidents involved dual engine failure?
- US Airways Flight 1549 (“Miracle on the Hudson”)
- Scandinavian Airlines Flight 751
- Dana Air Flight 0992
- Centurion Air Cargo Flight 164
Q6. How are aircraft designed to handle engine failures?
Modern aircraft are designed to glide without engine power and pilots are trained in simulators to handle such emergencies.
Q7. What did the sole survivor say?
Viswashkumar Ramesh described a loud noise 30 seconds after takeoff, followed by the crash, with bodies around him when he regained consciousness.
Q8. How did Air India respond to the crash?
Tata Group announced ₹1 crore compensation for each deceased’s family, medical support for the injured, and rebuilding of B J Medical’s hostel nearby.
Q9. What are the technical specs of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner?
✅ Answer: The Dreamliner is a twin-engine wide-body aircraft with advanced fuel efficiency and electronic systems. More details can be found on Boeing’s official page.
Q10. Who were the pilots and what were their credentials?
While it’s mentioned the captain had high flight experience, the specific names, flight hours, or background were not disclosed in public reports yet.
Q11. What role does air traffic control (ATC) play in such emergencies?
✅ Answer: ATC provides emergency support and clearances for landing, coordinates with rescue teams, and helps ensure a crash site is secured.
Q12. How does CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) and FDR (Flight Data Recorder) help in investigations?
Tata Group announced ₹1 crore compensation for each deceased’s family, medical support for the injured, and rebuilding of B J Medical’s hostel nearby.
Q13. What are the typical post-crash aviation investigation steps?
Includes site preservation, black box recovery, maintenance history analysis, interviews, and an official final report by DGCA or a national body.
Q14. Are there new regulations after similar crashes?
Historically, major crashes often lead to safety mandates, design changes, and stricter maintenance rules.
Q15. What was the plane's maintenance record before the crash?
Investigation will include inspection logs, recent repairs, and last checks to see if technical error or negligence played a role.
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Amrita Sarkar (pronounced Aam-ri-to), is a content creator, B.Com graduate, CA aspirant, and PGDM student who has discovered a fresh passion for digital writing. With a sharp eye for trends and a deep curiosity for how the internet shapes our lives, Amrito writes insightful pieces on digital media, internet culture, and personal observations. This blog is his creative outlet—where analysis meets storytelling.
