Ahmedabad air tragedy: Unraveling the causes behind the catastrophic crash

The tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which killed 241 people, has prompted an urgent investigation into its causes. The London-bound flight plummeted into a residential area near a medical college shortly after takeoff.

Also Read:PM Modi to visit Ahmedabad crash site today to honor victims, oversees relief

Below are the potential factors being explored:

• Engine Failure: The aircraft may have lost critical thrust during takeoff, possibly due to an engine malfunction, preventing it from climbing effectively.
• Bird Strike: A collision with birds could have damaged the engine, disrupting its performance and contributing to the loss of control.
• Landing Gear Issue: The landing gear may have remained extended, reducing power to the second engine and hindering the plane’s ability to ascend.
• Altitude Failure: The aircraft could not ascend past 825 feet, a critically low height, resulting in its swift crash.
• Pilot Error: An improper takeoff procedure might have exacerbated the situation, potentially causing the aircraft to lose stability.
• Fuel Tank Explosion: A fully loaded fuel tank may have exploded upon impact, intensifying the destruction and loss of life.
• Sabotage Concerns: Similarities to the 1985 Kanishka bombing have raised fears of a possible deliberate act, though no evidence supports this yet.
• Pilot Distress: The pilot struggled to maintain ascent before issuing a Mayday call, indicating severe operational difficulties.

Investigators, alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are analyzing flight data and wreckage to determine the precise cause. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the crash site today with over 250 security personnel ensuring safety  whereas, Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site yesterday. The nation grieves as answers are sought.