Flight AI171 Crashed in 33 Seconds, Experts Ask: Why?

On Thursday afternoon, Ahmedabad witnessed one of India’s worst aviation disasters. Air India’s London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (flight AI171) crashed just 33 seconds after takeoff from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, plunged into a densely populated area—only 3 km from the runway. It slammed into the doctors’ hostel of BJ Medical College in Meghani Nagar. The impact destroyed the building. Flames engulfed the area.

Locals rushed out of their homes and shops. Many ran toward the smoke. But the heat was intense.

The plane carried nearly 1.25 lakh litres of fuel. There was no chance to save anyone. At least 260 people died. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the victims.

तबाही का ये ख़ौफ़नाक मंज़र!
होस्टल, BJ Medical college Ahmedabad.
#planecrash#BJMedicalCollege pic.twitter.com/EVngtdH2Ik

— Dr. B L Bairwa MS, FACS (@Lap_surgeon) June 13, 2025

Home Minister Amit Shah said the central government got information within 10 minutes. He contacted the Gujarat Chief Minister, Home Minister, and Civil Aviation Minister. The Prime Minister also responded immediately.

One person survived the crash. The final death toll will be confirmed after DNA verification.

“All central and state government departments are part of the rescue operation,” Shah said. Burnt debris, twisted metal, and smoke marked the crash site. The nation mourns.

Could weather have played a role in the crash?

Extreme weather often disrupts aviation in India. A study titled Impact of Extreme Weather on Aviation in India outlines several major threats. Thunderstorms, common during the monsoon months from June to September, produce heavy rain, heat, turbulence, lightning, and strong winds. These conditions are risky during takeoff and landing.

Wind shear is another serious concern. It involves a sudden shift in wind speed or direction, which can destabilise an aircraft shortly after takeoff or just before landing. Even a brief moment of wind shear can cause a drop in airspeed, affecting control.

Heatwaves add to the risks. They reduce air density, which lowers lift and forces planes to use longer runways. Aircraft engines also face a greater chance of overheating during extreme heat. These waves occur mostly from April to June, especially in northern and central India.

Dr Jonny Williams, researcher on climate impacts on aviation at the University of Reading, said hot weather directly affects aircraft performance:

“Hot weather does increase the take-off distance required and therefore the amount of runway needed. These calculations are standard on every flight. The current temperature in Ahmedabad—around 39°C—is typical for this time of year, and airlines like Air India have long experience operating under such conditions.”

In this crash, the aircraft went down just 33 seconds after takeoff. It was carrying 1.25 lakh litres of fuel. The temperature was high. Given the conditions, it’s worth asking whether wind shear or heat stress impacted aircraft performance.

The numbers are telling. In 2023, over 3,210 flights in India were cancelled due to bad weather. Another 3,430 were delayed—the highest figure since 2019. Many of these incidents were tied to fog, storms, or extreme heat.

Weather-related issues aren’t rare. Between 2019 and 2020, about 30% of delays and cancellations were weather-related. Between 2018 and 2019, 25% of aircraft damage was due to weather. Between 2015 and 2020, 15% of passenger injuries and fatalities were linked to such incidents.

Crash raises critical performance questions

Early clues point to a mix of possible technical and environmental failures. Experts say it’s too soon to confirm anything, but video and photos raise serious questions.

One widely circulated video shows the Boeing 787 Dreamliner descending nose-up, a position that normally signals a climb. “It looks like it should be climbing, and in fact, it’s descending,” said John Cox, a former airline pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems. “The question is why.”

Experts are cautious. Crashes rarely result from a single cause. They often involve a chain of failures—mechanical issues, human error, poor maintenance, or extreme weather. “Did they properly configure the airplane when it took off?” asked Greg Feith, a former U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator. “Was there a loss of thrust? Was there fuel contamination? Fuel starvation?”

In the crash video, analysts noticed something unusual. The flaps—the movable panels on the wings that help generate lift—did not appear fully extended. The landing gear also seemed to be down.

“In the video, you see the landing gear is still down, but the flaps look to be in a relatively up position,” said Feith. “That will have to be examined. If the airplane was not properly configured, that can present a performance issue.”

Ben Berman, a former pilot and crash investigator, added another possibility. He said the descent looked partially controlled, which could mean the pilots were trying to reduce speed to lessen the impact.

“Any reduction you can make to the airspeed at impact is going to have a big positive effect,” Berman said.

Heat is another consideration. Ahmedabad saw temperatures above 39 degrees Celsius. In such conditions, aircraft engines generate less thrust and lift. Combined with a heavy fuel load, this makes takeoff harder and riskier.

“The brakes on a heavier jet can also get very hot,” said Berman. “Sometimes pilots may leave the gear down briefly to help cool them, but it could also mean they had a massive problem right after takeoff.” 

The crash of AI171 raises urgent concerns. The aircraft failed just 33 seconds after takeoff. High temperatures, full fuel load, and possible configuration issues may have played a role. Experts warn this may be a case of multiple failures, not a single error.  

Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.

Keep Reading

How Can Bhoj Wetland Address the Issue of Microplastics?

Indore’s Ramsar site Sirpur has an STP constructed almost on the lake 

Indore Reviving Historic Lakes to Combat Water Crisis, Hurdles Remain

Indore’s residential society saves Rs 5 lakh a month, through rainwater harvesting

Stay connected with Ground Report for under-reported environmental stories.

Follow us on X, Instagram, and Facebook; share your thoughts at [email protected]; subscribe to our weekly newsletter for deep dives from the margins; join our WhatsApp community for real-time updates; and catch our video reports on YouTube.

Your support amplifies voices too often overlooked—thank you for being part of the movement.