An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 244 people, including 12 crew, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on a scheduled flight to London Gatwick. This marks the first hull loss of a 787, a model widely regarded as one of aviation's safest. What we’re learning from early reports, aviation expert insights, and historical context:
🚨 What Happened
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The flight took off from runway 23 at approximately 13:38 IST and reached just 625 ft before distress signals prompted a MAYDAY, with the aircraft crashing around 13:43 into a residential area in Meghani Nagar (airlineratings.com).
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Videos and eyewitness accounts show the landing gear remained deployed throughout—suggesting a critical systems malfunction.
🔧 What Could Have Gone Wrong
On a modern Dreamliner, the 787’s hydraulic systems, vital for gear operation, depend on engine-driven and electrical pumps. Losing hydraulic pressure would inhibit normal retraction and impair multiple systems (airlineratings.com). Signs point toward a possible engine failure, with the aircraft barely gaining altitude—consistent with a severe thrust issue (airlineratings.com).
✈️ The Flight Crew
The plane was flown by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had logged over 8,200 flight hours, including training roles; First Officer Clive Kundar had around 1,100 hours. The aircraft, delivered to Air India in January 2014, was just over 11 years old (airlineratings.com).
📉 Why This Crash Matters
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This is the first-ever hull loss for the 787 series—over 1,175 aircraft built and nearly 5 million flight hours (airlineratings.com).
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Dreamliners revolutionized aviation with composites and new systems; this accident shakes long-held safety confidence.
🛠️ What Aviation Experts Say
Aviation safety specialist Josh Wood from AirlineRatings.com notes:
“…no other likely explanation than engine failure...landing gear remained extended …possible engine and subsequent hydraulic failure…” (airlineratings.com)
Early speculation by observers also points to insufficient lift and potential loss of control, compounding safety concerns (airlineratings.com).
🏥 Human Toll & Rescue Efforts
First responders arrived quickly to begin rescue operations. Impact happened in a populated neighborhood, complicating evacuation. Photos show debris and emergency crews under muddy rains. Official dead or casualty numbers remain unverified, but recovery teams continue efforts amid community devastation.
🧭 What’s Next
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A full probe by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation and support from Boeing and Rolls-Royce Engine Division will investigate.
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Black box recorders—flight data and cockpit voice recorders—will be crucial.
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Reports will focus on engine performance, hydraulic integrity, and possible human/machine errors.
🌐 Industry Implications
The crash forces airlines and regulators to reassess 787 safety procedures. Airlines may introduce additional inspections or revise maintenance intervals. Meanwhile, Boeing must defend the reliability of its flagship aircraft to struggling carriers and anxious global passengers.
🕰️ Historical Perspective
Every high-profile aircraft had an early catastrophe—remember the 1970s grounding of the DC-10 over engine seizures, or later, the A320 first-crash revisions. These crises ultimately enhance aviation safety. For the 787, this incident may spur needed scrutiny and tougher operational standards.
🛡️ Safety in Modern Aviation
Despite this dramatic loss, commercial aviation remains extraordinarily safe. The 787 has flown around 30 million hours. Catastrophic malfunctions are exceedingly rare. But when they happen, they shine a spotlight on vulnerability and compel action—enhanced monitoring, better protocols, and sometimes, design adjustments.
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