Air India plane crash: Ansari's video clue points to equipment-linked emergency, possible power backup deployment; Flight Data Recorder holds key

A video of the last moments of the doomed Air India Boeing 787-8 could offer new insight into the crash till the time the flight data recorder (FDR) data is analysed. The video, shot by a class 12 student and amateur terrace photographer Aryan Ansari, could challenge a few theories doing the rounds on what might have led to the crash in Ahmedabad—the deadliest disaster involving an Indian airline in decades and the world's first-ever Boeing 787 crash.
While aviation experts did speculate whether the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) or RAT (Ram Air Turbine)—both emergency power sources on the aircraft—were deployed, the clearer video sourced directly from Ansari's phone seems to suggest that the RAT was down. That ties in with what the sole survivor testified to—a loud bang accompanied by the light going out, and then a green light coming in the cabin. And the captain's mayday call.
The bang could be indicative of a lower hatch giving way and the RAT being deployed automatically, a regulatory source said, while adding that there could be other triggers for a loud sound too. The RAT is essentially a wind turbine located just behind the landing gear console that deploys into the airstream to generate power only when primary and secondary power sources fail. The APU is a smaller turbine engine, typically located in the tail section of the aircraft, that provides electrical and pneumatic power for various on-board systems.
Now, a dual engine failure is the rarest-of-rare event. But if the RAT deployed, it means there was a grave emergency—either a total electrical failure, a debilitating hydraulic failure, or a dual-engine failure, or a combination of these or more factors. Given the appearance of not sufficient lift and loss of thrust, the dual-engine failure theory, which many experts earlier said was not probable but still theoretically possible, could now well be a leading question for investigators to look into.
At a media briefing on Saturday, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu had said that investigators will look at all the theories doing the rounds. To be sure, it is too early to jump to any conclusion based on the initial video evidence, considering aircraft are extremely sophisticated and complex machines and detailed and painstaking investigations are required to ascertain the exact cause or combination of causes. All that the clearer video now available does, however, is provide investigators with a crucial clue.
Fuel contamination or clogging of fuel can lead to the engines being starved, leading to a sudden shutdown. A source at the airport did indicate that refuelling took longer than usual (at 42 minutes), but a few others indicated that this was not really an out-of-the-ordinary occurrence for a long-distance international flight with full load. Could it have been bird strikes? The footage available so far does not seem to suggest that. Also, although the Ahmedabad airport has a higher-than-average count of bird hits compared to other airports in the country, it would again be a rarest-of-rare event for a bird hit to disable both engines together. So far, there is no evidence to suggest such a significant bird strike, neither in the initial footage of the aircraft accident, nor at the airfield in the form of bird carcasses.
Coming to the RAT deployment, the device is a last resort for providing basic power to the aircraft when everything else fails. But the RAT is more useful at higher or cruising altitudes, giving the pilots enough time to land at the closest available airfield. Neither time nor altitude was available to the pilots of flight AI-171. The plane had just lifted off the runway and was barely at an altitude of 625 feet—400-odd feet if Ahmedabad airport's 200-feet elevation is accounted for—before it crashed within moments.
The odds that an aviation accident has a single trigger are rare, and crashes usually have a series of things that go wrong together or one leading to another. The one thing that experts were increasingly converging on before Ansari's clearer video emerged was that the landing gear of AI-171 was down and flaps were perhaps not retracted, well after the aircraft climbed off the runway. The possibility of an erroneous retraction of the flaps, instead of the gear, was a possibility that some were pointing to. The apparent lack of lift, something that the sole survivor attested to when he said the plane seemed to hang mid-air before going down, seemed to attest to this theory. The RAT deployment. though, changes all of this entirely.
From the available videos, the rate of rotation (the action of pulling back a yoke or centre stick to lift the nose wheel off the ground during takeoff) appears to have been fine, but the undercarriage not being lifted up despite the aircraft being airborne is when things seem to have started going wrong. The landing gear should have been retracted by the time the time the aircraft reached 100 feet, after the 'positive rate' of climb is achieved, which is when the captain gives the 'gear up' command to the co-pilot for retracting the landing gear. The gear being down, along with incorrect wing flap configuration, together would lead to insufficient lift coupled with significant drag. Even a partial loss of thrust could have potentially impacted the lift given that landing gear was down. The pilots pulling the nose up towards the end seems to suggest a desperate move as the terrain warning would've started sounding in the cockpit
While the FDR has been found, and will certainly provide deep insights into the reasons of the crash, the other black box—cockpit voice recorder (CVR)—will also be critical in the investigation, the details of the pilots' interaction with each other and the air traffic control will emerge from it, and so will the details of the warnings and alarms that would have been sounded in the cockpit before the fatal crash.
Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
Anil Sasi is National Business Editor with the Indian Express and writes on business and finance issues. He has worked with The Hindu Business Line and Business Standard and is an alumnus of Delhi University. ... Read More

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

26 minutes ago

• Hans India

Hindu scriptology and the civilisational impact of Brahmi

The Brahmi script, an ancient Hindu writing system, is the progenitor of numerous scripts across India, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of East Asia, earning it the title "mother of Indian scripts." This article explores Hindu Scriptology—the study of Brahmi-derived scripts—focusing on their evolution through Uttara Brahmi (Northern Brahmi) and Dakshina Brahmi (Southern Brahmi), which gave rise to scripts such as Devanagari, Tamil, Thai, and Khmer. Brahmi's legacy reflects the vast reach of Hindu civilisation, which, until the 8th century CE, spanned from Afghanistan in the west to the Malay Archipelago in the east. Despite Islamic conquests and colonial influences and introduction of Arabic and Latin scripts in some regions, Brahmi-derived scripts endure, evidencing Hindu cultural unity. However, without a Hindu state, Hindu civilisation faces threats to its languages, scripts, and heritage. This article argues that Brahmi dates to the Rigvedic period or earlier, examines its descendants, their significance, and the urgent need to preserve this heritage. Origins of Brahmi: Foundation of Hindu Scriptology Brahmi's earliest evidence appears in Emperor Ashoka's edicts (circa 268–232 BCE), marking it among the world's earliest writing systems. Its origins likely trace to the Rigvedic period (1500–1200 BCE or earlier), rooted in Hindu civilisation's intellectual advancements. Brahmi's syllabic structure, with consonants carrying inherent vowels modifiable by diacritics, suited the phonological complexity of Indian languages. Western dating of Hindu civilisational events often avoids exceeding 4000 BCE, potentially due to alignment with Biblical timelines, resulting in dates that may diminish Hindu civilisation's antiquity. However, this article does not delve into these debates, as they are beyond its scope. The Rigveda's 1,028 hymns, with precise syllable counts (e.g., Gayatri with eight syllables per line, Trishtubh with 11), suggest a sophisticated linguistic system, likely supported by a script, despite oral transmission via techniques like pada-patha and ghana-patha. Non-sacred activities, such as trade or annotations, likely required writing, though perishable materials like palm leaves have left no trace. Panini's Ashtadhyayi (~5th century BCE or earlier), a grammatical treatise with ~4,000 sutras, implies a need for written codification due to its complexity. The name "Brahmi," linked to Brahma, the divine holder of the Vedas, reinforces traditional beliefs in its ancient origins, tying it to the Rigveda. The Indus Valley Script (3300–1900 BCE) indicates an early writing culture, potentially influencing a proto-Brahmi. The absence of epigraphical evidence before the third century BCE reflects archaeological limitations, not a scriptless civilisation. Ashokan inscriptions, spanning Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, show Brahmi's role in unifying a diverse empire, spreading Hindu and Buddhist principles. Its standardised form suggests prior development, likely from the Rigvedic period or earlier, establishing Hindu scriptology's foundation. The absence of pre-3rd century BCE epigraphical evidence reflects archaeological limitations, not a scriptless civilisation that produced great works such as the Rigveda and Panini's Ashtadhyayi long before. Ashokan inscriptions, spanning Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, show Brahmi's role in unifying a diverse empire, spreading Hindu and Buddhist principles. Its standardised form suggests prior development, likely from the Rigvedic period, establishing Hindu scriptology's foundation. Bifurcation of Brahmi: Uttara and Dakshina Brahmi By the early centuries CE, Brahmi's regional variants, which began evolving earlier (e.g., Tamil-Brahmi in the 3rd century BCE), were classified as Uttara Brahmi (Northern Brahmi) and Dakshina Brahmi (Southern Brahmi), reflecting geographical and linguistic diversity. Uttara Brahmi: The northern branch: Uttara Brahmi, used north of the Vindhyas, wrote Sanskrit and Prakrit for Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions, characterised by angular forms. Its descendants include: Devanagari:Used for Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi, and Nepali, Devanagari evolved from the Gupta script, with its shirorekha (horizontal line) symbolising northern script unity. Sharada:Used in Kashmir for Sanskrit and Kashmiri, it remains a symbol of Hindu heritage. Gujarati:A cursive Devanagari derivative, reflecting Gujarat's cultural dynamism. Gurmukhi:Developed for Punjabi by Guru Angad, tied to Sikhism's Hindu ethos. Bengali, Odiya, Assamese:Evolving from the Siddham script, these preserve Hindu literary traditions. Meetei Mayek:Revived in Manipur, symbolising Hindu heritage reclamation. Tibetan:Developed in the 7th century, it spread Buddhism, a Hindu-derived religion, to Tibet. These scripts, driven by Hindu, and Buddhist traditions, carried Hindu influence to Central Asia, embodying northern Hindu scriptology's unity. Dakshina Brahmi: The southern branch: Dakshina Brahmi, used in southern India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia, adapted to Dravidian and non-Indo-Aryan languages with rounded forms. Its descendants include: Tamil:Originating from Tamil-Brahmi (3rd century BCE), an early southern Brahmi variant, it evolved through Vatteluttu and Pallava scripts (4th–7th centuries CE), with significant Grantha influence, and was standardised in the 20th century. Telugu, Kannada:From the Kadamba script (4th–6th centuries CE), emerging from a shared script by the 13th century. Malayalam:Derived from Tamil-Brahmi via Vatteluttu, shaped by Grantha, and simplified by the 20th century. Sinhala:Evolving in Sri Lanka by the 3rd century CE, it preserves Buddhist literature. Khmer, Thai, Lao:From Pallava script, spreading Hindu-Buddhist culture to Southeast Asia. Burmese:Derived from Mon script, reflecting Myanmar's Hindu-Buddhist past. Javanese, Balinese:Rooted in Pallava, these encapsulate Indonesia's Hindu-Buddhist heritage. Chakma:Adapted for a Tibeto-Burman language, supporting Buddhist texts. Malay Scripts (Kawi, Rencong, Batak, Lontara):Thriving during the Hindu-Buddhist period (4th–13th centuries CE), these were later replaced by Arabic (Jawi) and Latin (Rumi) scripts due to Islamisation and colonial influence. These southern Brahmi scripts, with their rounded forms and adaptability to diverse phonologies, highlight Hindu civilisation's linguistic diversity, spread through Pallava and Chola maritime networks across South and Southeast Asia. Cultural and Linguistic Significance Until the 8th century CE, Hindu civilisation, spanning from Afghanistan to the Malay Archipelago, was unified by shared religious practices, philosophies, and Brahmi-derived scripts. Temples, stupas, and inscriptions from Gandhara to Java reflect this interconnectedness, with Brahmi as the scriptological thread. Religious texts and cultural transmission: Brahmi-derived scripts preserved Hindu civilisation's religious heritage. Devanagari transcribed Vedic hymns, Upanishads, and epics, while Tamil recorded Sangam literature and devotional works. Khmer and Thai scripts adapted Hindu and Buddhist texts, and Tibetan and Sinhala scripts preserved Mahayana and Theravada canons, respectively, spreading Hindu ethos across Asia. Linguistic adaptation: Brahmi's adaptability suited diverse linguistic systems. Northern scripts like Devanagari handled Indo-Aryan consonant clusters, while southern scripts suited Dravidian structures. Khmer and Thai scripts accommodated tonal languages, reflecting Hindu scribes' ingenuity in preserving a shared heritage. Trade and Cultural Exchange Trade and maritime routes, led by Pallava and Chola dynasties, spread Brahmi-derived scripts to Southeast Asia, seen in Angkor Wat and Borobudur. The Silk Road carried Uttara Brahmi to Central Asia and Tibet. These exchanges highlight Hindu civilisation's role as a cultural bridge, with Brahmi scripts enduring in regions like Thailand and Bali. Losses of Hindu civilisation: Islamic conquests from the eighth century replaced Brahmi-derived scripts with Perso-Arabic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, dismantling Hindu and Buddhist institutions. Colonial rule marginalised Brahmi scripts, favouring English and Roman scripts. In Southeast Asia, Latin orthographies diminished scripts like Javanese. Without a Hindu state, Hindu civilisation's culture, languages, and scripts face challenges in preservation. A call to reclaim Hindu civilisation: Brahmi-derived scripts reflect Hindu civilisation's historical grandeur, yet conquest, colonisation, and secularism threaten its survival. Nations like India and Nepal must promote these scripts, fund scriptological research, and integrate Hindu cultural education to preserve this heritage. These scripts, from Devanagari's shirorekha to Telugu's curves, embody a civilisation that once illuminated Asia, urging a renewed identity to ensure its global resonance. Conclusion Brahmi and its descendants represent a pinnacle of human ingenuity and Hindu civilisation's cornerstone. From its Rigvedic origins to its spread across Asia, Brahmi unified diverse regions through a shared scriptological heritage. Its bifurcation into Uttara and Dakshina Brahmi reflects Hindu civilisation's diversity and resilience. Despite losses from conquest, colonisation, and secularism, these scripts endure, testifying to Hindu civilisation's legacy. Without state patronage, this heritage risks extinction, demanding urgent action to preserve and revitalise it. By celebrating Hindu scriptology, we honour an ancient civilisation that shaped Asia and, possibly, beyond, inspiring a renaissance to secure its future. (The writer is a retired IPS officer, and a former Director of CBI. Views are personal)

India Gazette

35 minutes ago

• India Gazette

Crew of stealth frigate 'Tamal' celebrates International Yoga Day at iconic Kant Cathedral in Russia

Moscow [Russia], June 22 (ANI): The crew of the soon-to-be-inducted stealth frigate Tamal celebrated the International Day of Yoga 2025 at the iconic Kant Cathedral in central Kaliningrad, Russia, the Indian Navy said on Saturday. In a post on X, the Navy wrote, 'Yoga for one Earth one Health- The crew of the soon to be inducted Stealth Frigate Tamal celebrated the International Day of Yoga 2025 at the Iconic Kant Cathedral in Central Kaliningrad, Russia.' Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Russia celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga 2025 at the iconic VDNKH (Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy) in Moscow on Saturday. The event drew hundreds of participants who came together to promote unity, wellness, and the benefits of yoga. Indian Ambassador to the Russian Federation Vinay Kumar and Bulat Nurmukhanov, Deputy Chairman, Moscow City Tourism Committee, led the event. 'Celebrating #IDY2025 at the iconic VDNKH with the Moscow City Government. Hundreds joined in the spirit of unity, wellness & yoga. Amb @vkumar1969 & Mr. Bulat Nurmukhanov, Dy. Chairman, Moscow City Tourism Committee, led the event. Beautiful morning of harmony and health!' Indian Embassy in Russia said in a post on X. Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Tokyo also shared pictures, celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga, promoting harmony, peace, and collective well-being through this ancient practice. 'The sacred chants of 'Om' reverberated across Tokyo during the celebrations of the 11th International Day of Yoga, organised by the Embassy of India, Tokyo invoking harmony, peace, and collective well-being,' the Embassy of India in Japan wrote on X. 'Following an energizing yoga session, participants enjoyed a taste of India with refreshing mangoes, nutritious millets, and warm chai, served at the 11th International Day of Yoga hosted by the Embassy of India, Tokyo,' the India Embassy said in a post on X. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Nepal and the Consulate General of India in Birgunj on Saturday organised a series of engaging events across 10 cities and municipalities in Nepal, including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lamjung, Lumbini, Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Rautahat and Bariyarpur to mark the 11th International Day of Yoga. (ANI)

Hindustan Times

an hour ago

• Hindustan Times

AI plane crash: Last rites of crew member Irfan Shaikh held in Pimpri-Chinchwad

Jun 22, 2025 06:50 AM IST Relatives and friends gave an emotional farewell to Irfan Shaikh, crew member of the ill-fated Air India-171 flight that crashed in Ahmedabad last week, as his remains were laid to rest at Pimpri-Chinchwad on Saturday. The Shaikh family received 22-year-old Irfan's remains after a DNA match on Friday, and they were brought to Pune in the early hours of the day. The family includes his grandparents, parents, and brother. (HT PHOTO) The Shaikh family received 22-year-old Irfan's remains after a DNA match on Friday, and they were brought to Pune in the early hours of the day. The family includes his grandparents, parents, and brother. The final rites were held at Hazrat Bilal burial ground in Nehrunagar in the presence of family, neighbours, friends, and leaders from across political parties at around 9.30 am. Irfan was on board the London-bound Air India flight, AI 171, that crashed into a building in a medical college complex moments after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on June 12. A total of 241 persons on board the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft were killed in the crash, along with 29 others on the ground. 'Irfan joined the aviation industry as a cabin crew member two years ago after completing a course at a private institute in Pune. He initially worked with Vistara, and after the Air India-Vistara merger, he began flying on international routes. Irfan's father Salim Shaikh runs a small shop in Tukaramnagar and his brother works in a software company,' said Firoz Shaikh, Irfan's relative. The youngster had big dreams and was determined to excel in the field, but the crash shattered all those dreams, he said.