In a shocking turn of events, Air India Flight 171 tragically crashed shortly after takeoff, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in decades. Initial reports pointed to a dual engine failure, but critical details are emerging that challenge this narrative. Eyewitness accounts describe the aircraft struggling to gain altitude before plummeting over a populated area, resulting in at least 279 confirmed fatalities, including passengers and crew.

As investigations unfold, the focus has shifted to the aircraft’s takeoff procedure. Contrary to early claims, data indicates that the Boeing 787 did not utilize the full runway length, raising questions about the pilots’ actions during this critical phase. The captain, a highly experienced instructor with over 10,000 flight hours, and a first officer with a reported 3,400 hours, faced an unimaginable situation as they attempted to navigate an emergency.

Amidst the chaos, a passenger video surfaced, showing alarming cockpit issues prior to the crash. However, experts caution against drawing direct connections between these issues and the accident without thorough investigation. The aircraft’s maintenance history remains under scrutiny, with regulators yet to identify any systemic faults across the fleet.

Witnesses reported the deployment of the ram air turbine (RAT), a backup power source, which has fueled speculation about a total electrical failure or a catastrophic engine malfunction. However, experts emphasize that both engines typically do not fail simultaneously without extraordinary circumstances.

As investigators comb through the wreckage and analyze flight data, one crucial question looms: what caused the captain’s desperate “Mayday” call, stating, “Thrust not achieved. Falling”? The answers could reshape our understanding of this tragedy, but for now, the aviation community and the world await clarity on a disaster that has left many grappling with grief and uncertainty.