Crashed Air-India Flight 171: Preliminary Cause Suggests Emergency Power System Activation
Majority of the deceased in Indian aviation disasters confirmed.
Have a read! The latest on the tragic crash of Air-India Flight 171 suggests that the emergency power system might've activated right before impact. Investigators point out that this could be a sign of a severe failure in the engine or hydraulic systems during takeoff — an uncommon occurrence in commercial aviation.
The incident occurred on June 12, 2025, taking the lives of 241 passengers aboard and causing further casualties on the ground in Ahmedabad, India. The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which was en route to London's Gatwick Airport.
The main cause of the crash remains under investigation as of now. However, investigators are scrutinizing the recovered black boxes — the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) — to piece together the sequence of events. The CVR, crucial for understanding the tragedy, will yield insightful conversations, alarms, and ambient sounds from the cockpit during the incident.
Air India has grounded several of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners for thorough safety checks in response to the crash. A 15% cut in international widebody flights is temporary, to accommodate these rigorous safety measures. Out of 33 Dreamliners, 26 have been deemed safe for operation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India, with maintenance delays and coordination issues in Air India's operations being emphasized.
As part of the ongoing international collaboration, the damaged black boxes are set to be sent to the United States for detailed analysis. Representatives from the engine manufacturer, GE Aerospace, are expecting further guidance from the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) before commenting on the matter.
In essence, though the emergency power activation narrows down potential causes to critical engine or hydraulic system failures, the investigation is ongoing. Analyses of black box data and comprehensive technical inspections will be instrumental in pinpointing the root cause of the Air-India Flight 171 disaster.
Community policy should address the implications of commercial aviation accidents like the one involving Air-India Flight 171, ensuring comprehensive safety measures and coordination among all parties involved. A health policy could also be implemented to provide psychological support and resources for the families of the victims, as well as the general public affected by the tragedy.
News outlets must discern the most appropriate categories for reporting incidents like this, potentially placing it under 'general-news', 'crime-and-justice' (due to the loss of life), and 'accidents', while sports channels might not deem it necessary to highlight. However, updates on the interim findings and progress of the investigation could be valuable content for sports channels, given their role in delivering breaking news.
