Theorizing the Air India Flight 171 Crash: Taneja's Insights

Strategic Insights -

YouTuber and former pilot Gaurav Taneja, popularly known as Flying Beast, has shared his detailed theory on what might have caused the Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad, suggesting that human error could have been a contributing factor. Taneja's hour-long video discusses the possible reasons behind the crash, including pilot error, overloading of cargo, and a late takeoff due to an engine failure.

Key Takeaways:

  • Taneja suggests that human error, specifically pilot error, could have been a contributing factor in the Air India Flight 171 crash.
  • He debunks several theories surrounding fuel contamination and bird strikes, stating that modern aircraft are equipped to fly with one functional engine.
  • Taneja proposes that the pilots might have been startled by the extra load and engine failure, leading to a delayed reaction and ultimately the crash.
  • He suggests that overloading of cargo could have played a role in the crash, as the aircraft consumed more runway than normal.
  • Taneja highlights the importance of weight and its impact on fuel consumption, stating that airlines charge extra for baggage to compensate.
  • He explains that the pilots' actions, including forgetting to pull the landing gear up and killing the wrong engine, led to the aircraft losing power and crashing.

Statistics:

  • The aircraft consumed more runway than normal, taking 500 meters more to take off due to the weight and engine failure.
  • The aircraft was close to the maximum takeoff weight of 2.20-2.25 tonnes.
  • The pilots had half a minute to figure out what to do after the engine failure.
  • The aircraft was without power at 400 feet, leading to a loss of altitude.
  • The pilots had 10-12 seconds before impact.

Sources:

  • Gaurav Taneja (Creative Commons)
  • IIT Kharagpur Alumni Network (CC)