What could cause the Air India's plane crash in 30 seconds?
Families of the crash victims are seeking identification at a hospital in Ahmedabad, conducting DNA tests, as poignant stories emerge about those affected.
The Air India flight 171 with 242 passengers that crashed on Thursday has been reported worldwide. However, the investigation continues, and there is no official statement on what caused the crash nor who is responsible for the accident. Some experts have shared theories surrounding the incident.
From an engine failure to human error involving the plane's flaps, BBC Verify published how these theories could explain what really happened in the crash. The accident has raised fears around Boeing 787 planes, noting that, until today, the model has had an exemplary safety record and was considered a perfect plane for intercontinental travel.
The Three Theories
The first theory revolves around an engine failure. Footage of the accident showed that the plane was flying low. In that case, neither the pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, nor his co-pilot Clive Kundar "would have had time to react if they lost both engines," according to a statement made to the BBC. However, the loss of both engines is extremely rare, due to all the safety check measures that the plane must undergo before takeoff.
Other experts suggested that the plane crash may have occurred due to human error. They noticed that the aircraft's flaps, secondary wings on the plane, were not extended. However, Sabharwal and Kundar were experienced pilots, and some other analysts have challenged this theory on BBC. The last theory involves a bird strike, as Ahmedabad airport has a significant presence of birds.
Relatives of Akash Patni, a 14 year old boy who was sleeping on the ground when the Air India Flight 171 crashed in a residential area were mourning the death of him. Photo: AFP News
Relatives Are Desperate
Families of the victims are approaching Ahmedabad's hospital for DNA tests to help identify their loved ones. Sameer Shaikh says that his son, Irfan, who was a crew member on the flight, told him that he was on his way to London, but the airline called him to inform him that Irfan was actually on the Boeing. Despite the identification process being completed, the police did not allow them to claim the body until DNA samples from all the victims had been collected.
Another known story from the crash victims is about a family with a 4-year-old. Britons Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee and their daughter Sara have been confirmed as victims of the accident. A teacher from the child's school remembered Sara as a "ray of sunshine" and referred to the couple as community helpers, doing charity work. For now, there is no more information available about the victims of the disaster despite the only survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
