241 people died in the Air India plane crash. Investigations revealed that both engines failed at the time of the accident. Power failure and technical malfunctions are also being confirmed.
Air India Plane Crash: More than two weeks have passed since the Air India plane crash. In this tragic incident, 241 out of 242 people lost their lives. Until now, the actual cause of the accident had not been clear, but some crucial clues have emerged in the recent investigation.
What was the cause of the accident: Engine failure or system fault?
Investigators have suggested the possibility that both engines of the aircraft shut down at the time of the accident. This is confirmed by the fact that the emergency power system installed in the aircraft, called the Rapid Access Turbine (RAT), activated automatically. This system is only activated when both engines stop working and the main power supply is cut off. This strengthens the suspicion that the power supply in the aircraft was completely shut down at the time of the accident.
Accident Replicated on Simulator
The investigation team and experienced Air India pilots replicated the accident on a simulator. They tested the flight in the same conditions in which the actual plane crashed. During this, it was examined whether the aircraft could crash if the landing gear was open and the wing flaps were closed. However, it was found in the test that the aircraft could not crash only due to these two reasons. This led to the conclusion that there must have been a major technical fault in the engine or power supply.
Clues from Video Footage
Video footage of the accident was analyzed, which revealed that the aircraft could not gain much altitude immediately after takeoff and crashed into the ground. The analysis also showed that the landing gear was half-folded, but its doors were not open. This indicates that there might have been a fault in the hydraulic system or the power supply.
Suspected technical malfunction in flaps and gear
Generally, the proper functioning of the aircraft's wing flaps and landing gear is very important during takeoff. If there is any malfunction in them, especially during takeoff, the balance of the aircraft can be disturbed. In this case, both these systems were not working properly, which increases the chances of an accident.
Further clues may be found from the investigation of the black box
Currently, the black box, i.e., the flight data recorder, of the accident is being investigated. This will clarify the technical condition of the aircraft at the time of the accident and the circumstances in which the pilot made the decisions. The black box contains important information such as cockpit conversations, engine performance, altitude, and speed.
So far, no official statement has been issued by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Air India on this matter. However, sources related to the investigation say that technical malfunction is now emerging as the main reason.
