Many questions for Air India, Boeing in Ahmedabad plane crash. A survivor, black box and safety

Since the news broke out, media channels and social media flooded with images of families outside the mortuary, rescue workers trying to find bodies amid the debris, and police teams on the site trying to pick up whatever that can help ascertain what exactly happened in those last seconds since takeoff. A Mayday call was placed at 1:40 pm, but as fate would have it, the situation wouldn't give enough time to the responders.
Out of the 242 people aboard the Air India Flight 171, a London-bound Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, 241 died in the devastating crash. Only one, by what can only be called a miracle, survived to bear witness to this unimaginable tragedy. Among the victims are also young undergraduate MBBS students and the family of a resident doctor and hostel staffers who lost their lives while having lunch and working in the mess, as the aircraft tore through the hostel mess. They became collateral in a tragedy that should never have happened.
It surged forward, gathering speed with the hope of flight, rising to just 650 feet before disaster struck. In 32 seconds, what was meant to be a routine journey, turned into a descent of horror. As it made the fateful descend, the metal doors hurled open, flames roared, and in just moments, it all turned into ashes. What followed was a harrowing, blood-stained Thursday, likely to haunt travellers across the globe.
Both Boeing and Air India have a number of questions to answer while speculations continue to swirl. As for Air India, which is in the midst of rebuilding its brand to regain its top spot in Indian aviation, this crash is a major setback. The crash is likely to send aviation planners back to the drawing board and strengthen systems. And that is why the Ahmedabad crash is ThePrint's Newsmaker of the Week.
Speculations
A clear understanding of what the pilots faced in those final moments will only emerge after a comprehensive global investigation involving multiple stakeholders, and analysis of the black box, including the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR).
Experts have floated multiple theories behind the crash, including a rarest of rare double–engine failure, complete electrical failure, bird hits, faulty takeoff configuration, flap lockout due to failed hydraulics or human error, and the soaring temperatures of Ahmedabad. Speculations and conspiracy theories around sabotage abound. However, Home Minister Amit Shah has termed the crash as an accident.
Aviation expert Mark Martin pointed out that the safety of an airport extends beyond its perimeter. He said that if the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport were located away from densely populated areas, pilots might have had room to attempt an emergency landing, increasing the chances of survival. Martin stressed that the government must now enforce accountability and ensure no safety protocols are bypassed.
Before its ill-fated London leg, the Air India flight had completed a Delhi–Ahmedabad run. According to former pilot and instructor SK Pillai, standard protocols mandate thorough system checks between flights, all of which are documented. Pilots also perform routine pre-flight inspections before accepting the aircraft.
A thorough analysis of all this, along with that of the black box recordings and aircraft remnants, will tell us, if not the whole, some key parts of the story.
Also read: How victims of Mangaluru, Kozhikode Air India crash are seeing Ahmedabad crash
Boeing controversies
The crash has once again brought Boeing under scrutiny, reviving long-standing concerns about quality control, structural integrity, and manufacturing standards.
While this is the 787 Dreamliner's first fatal crash, considered an advanced passenger aircraft, often termed as the 'best-selling passenger plane', it isn't the variant's first brush with safety. In the past, since its launch in 2009, over 100 incidents have been recorded.
Moreover, concerns have been raised about the safety issues with the 787 series even as Boeing continues to face multiple US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigations. On 11 March 2024, 50 passengers were injured after a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, operated by LATAM Airlines, suffered an abrupt mid-air drop while heading from Sydney to Auckland.
Boeing has also faced intense international criticism following the deadly crashes of its 737 MAX aircraft in 2018 and 2019, which claimed about 350 lives. The company came under renewed pressure in January 2024 after a door plug blew off mid-air on a 737 MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines.
These events involving Boeing are examined in Rory Kennedy's 2022 Netflix documentary Downfall: The Case Against Boeing, which delved into the crashes, dissecting potential causes.
Subsequent investigations revealed several critical issues, including faults in the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCA), insufficient pilot training, and significant lapses in regulatory oversight.
Over time, whistleblowers have raised concerns over the aircraft manufacturer not maintaining standards and failing oxygen systems including at the Boeing North Charleston factory in South Carolina, the site of the 787 series production. In the last decade, the Boeing company, across its various civilian aircraft, has seen multiple incidents that have impacted hundreds of families across the globe.
Each aviation accident leaves grieving families seeking answers, while also raising critical questions for aircraft manufacturers, airline operators, and other key stakeholders in the aviation industry. Understanding what exactly transpired on the tragic Thursday may help correct errors or assign some accountability, though investigations into airline crashes don't always yield definitive answers. The world is still searching for MH370.
As for the families of the crash victims, for now, each moment waiting to get the bodies of their loved ones is further deepening their agony. The devastating impact of the crash left many bodies badly charred, making DNA identification painstakingly slow.
Views are personal.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)

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Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction. — It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts. Body — It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content. — The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points. — Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. QUESTION 1: Discuss the major structural and decorative differences between the Nāgara and Drāviḍa temple traditions. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Indian temple architecture follows two main traditions: Nāgara (northern) and Draviḍa (southern). — In addition to these two, Indian art treatises discuss a third sort of construction tradition known as the 'Vesara' or hybrid. 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Phamsana buildings are often larger and shorter than Latina buildings. Their roofs are made up of many slabs that slowly rise to a single point above the core of the building, as opposed to Latina roofs, which appear to be sharply rising towering towers. — The third major kind of nagara buildings is known as the valabhi type. These are rectangular structures with roofs that rise into vaulted chambers. The vaulted chamber's edge is rounded, similar to the bamboo or wooden waggons hauled by bullocks in ancient times. They are commonly known as 'wagonvaulted buildings'. Dravida or South Indian Temple Style — The Dravidian temple is encircled by a compound wall. The front wall has an entrance gateway in the centre, known as a gopuram. 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The book depicts a man who comes across a big river in flood. The shore he stands on is perilous and filled with terror, yet the far shore appears safe. However, there is no bridge or boat to help him cross the river. — After the Buddha and the Dhamma, the Sangha is the third jewel of the triratna. The Sangha is Buddhism's monastic organisation, created during the Buddha's lifetime. It was the central institution for disseminating the Buddha's teachings. — The Sangha's regulations specify aspects of monastic life, such as what its members should eat, how they should speak and walk, what they should dress, and how they should behave. These regulations also establish standards for settling conflicts and establishing the relationship between the Sangha and the laity. The Vinaya Pitaka also details the monks' first travelling lifestyle and ultimate transition to fixed dwelling. (Source: Three jewels that shape Buddhist philosophy and way of life) Points to Ponder Read about Vinaya Pitaka, Milindapañhā Read more about Buddhism Related Previous Year Questions Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (2016) Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (2020) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 106) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 107) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 106) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 107) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 106) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 105) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.

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