‘Many people killed’ after Air India Boeing plane carrying 242 people crashes minutes after taking off from Indian city
| Possible Cause | Details | Sources | #Poss. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Failure | Experts suggest a complete or partial loss of thrust in both engines, leading to insufficient lift for takeoff. Local witnesses reported seeing flames before the crash, potentially indicating engine issues. | @AeroFaizan, @IndiaToday, Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar | 3 |
| Flap Configuration Error | Video evidence and expert analysis indicate the aircraft’s flaps were not in the takeoff position, which is critical for generating lift at lower speeds. This could explain the aircraft’s inability to maintain flight. | Artem Koreshkov (Newsweek), Alastair Rosenschein (Sky News) | 2 |
| Pilot Error | Speculation includes potential errors in handling the aircraft during takeoff, possibly related to flap settings or response to an emergency like a mayday call. | @IndiaToday | 1 |
| Bird Hit | A bird strike during takeoff could have damaged the engines or critical systems, contributing to the crash. | @IndiaToday | 1 |
| Structural Flaws in Manufacturing | A whistleblower had flagged unsafe assembly practices and structural flaws in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner a year prior, raising concerns about the aircraft’s integrity. | @IndiaToday | 1 |
| Engineering Fault Post-Refurbishing | Officials suspect an engineering issue following recent refurbishing of the aircraft, potentially affecting critical systems. | Hindustan Times | 1 |