New Delhi, 2 July

More than two weeks after the deadly Air India crash in Ahmedabad that killed 241 of the 242 people on board, investigators and the airline are probing a possible dual engine failure as a cause of the Boeing 787’s inability to stay airborne. Airline pilots have simulated the doomed flight’s final moments in a simulator, replicating the aircraft’s parameters—landing gear deployed and wing flaps retracted—but found those factors alone didn’t lead to a crash, suggesting a technical failure may have played a critical role.

The simulation, conducted independently from the official probe by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), adds weight to suspicions of a catastrophic engine or electrical failure. Moments before impact, the emergency-power turbine (RAT) deployed, indicating loss of electrical power. Analysts also noted that although the pilots began retracting the landing gear, the doors hadn’t opened, hinting at possible hydraulic or power failures.

Investigators are scrutinising flight recorder data for more clues, but the simultaneous loss of power in both General Electric engines remains unexplained. The crash marks the first time a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been lost and stands as the worst Indian civil aviation disaster in decades.

Boeing, General Electric, and Air India have refrained from commenting, citing the ongoing investigation. Teams from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board are assisting AAIB experts. Analysis of the wreckage confirmed the wing flaps and slats were extended correctly, but only 15 seconds separated the pilots’ Mayday call from the fatal impact.