Summary of The AI-171 Mystery SOLVED? | The Exact Reasons behind Air India Ahmedabad Crash | Dhruv Rathee

The video investigates the causes behind the Air India flight AI-171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, focusing on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved. Key points include:

• Background of the Aircraft:
  The specific plane had a troubled history, including a fuel leak emergency landing in Turkey in 2021 and recurring technical issues such as battery overheating and windshield cracking, problems previously reported in other Dreamliners. The plane was 11 years old and had undergone recent engine inspections and repairs.
• Flight Details Before the Crash:
  On the day of the crash, the plane operated multiple flights before the final leg from Ahmedabad to London. Passengers noticed malfunctions such as wing flaps moving irregularly, non-functioning air conditioning, and entertainment systems. The plane took off normally at 1:48 pm but failed to retract the landing gear and did not deploy wing flaps properly, which is abnormal and critical for takeoff.
• Crash Event:
  Shortly after takeoff, the plane failed to gain altitude beyond 625 feet, lost thrust, and crashed into a hostel at BJ Medical College, causing a fire and significant casualties. Only one passenger survived. The crash site was in a densely populated residential area near the airport.
• Investigation and Evidence:
  The cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder (black boxes) were recovered, with investigations led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, supported by US and UK agencies. Flight radar data and two videos (one by a local teenager and one CCTV from the airport) showed the landing gear still extended and wing flaps retracted at takeoff, indicating serious mechanical or electrical failure.
• Possible Causes Explored:
  • Pilot Error: Theories suggesting pilot mistakes (e.g., forgetting to retract landing gear or mismanaging flaps) were largely dismissed due to the experience of the pilots and the presence of multiple warning systems designed to prevent such errors.
  • Total Power Loss: Evidence suggests a total power failure occurred, as indicated by the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency device that generates limited power when all engines or electrical systems fail. The RAT’s deployment is supported by video and audio evidence (propeller-like sounds and flickering lights).
  • Dual Engine Failure: The pilot’s mayday call about “thrust not achieved” suggests both engines may have failed, a very rare event.
  • Fuel Contamination: One leading theory is contaminated fuel causing engine failure or reduced thrust. Contaminants could include water, dirt, microbes, or diesel exhaust fluid. Past incidents in Japan (2019) show similar fuel contamination causing engine malfunctions.
  • Electrical Failure: Another theory involves failure of the plane’s electrical starter generators, which would disable engine controls. Backup auxiliary power units take time to start, which the plane did not have. Similar electrical failures had grounded Dreamliners in the past due to battery overheating and fires linked to manufacturing defects.
  • Manufacturing or Maintenance Defects: Boeing’s Dreamliner has faced repeated quality concerns, including poorly assembled parts, debris left inside planes, and insufficient testing of lithium-ion batteries. Former Boeing employees and investigations have revealed systemic issues and cost-cutting measures compromising safety. The crashed plane was among those delivered during a period of poor quality control.
  • Air India Maintenance and Operational Issues: Air India’s maintenance is partly handled by a government-owned company with reported lapses in safety audits and crew fatigue issues. Recent incidents include mass sick leaves and in-flight passenger illnesses, raising questions about operational standards.
• Broader Context:
  Despite past problems, the Dreamliner was considered one of the safest aircraft types until this crash—the first fatal accident involving a Dreamliner. The video emphasizes that such accidents usually result from multiple failures at different levels: manufacturing, maintenance, operational, and regulatory.
• Ongoing Investigation:
  A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the crash (by July 12, 2025). The final cause may involve a combination of factors rather than a single reason.
• Additional Content:
  The presenter also promotes an AI Master Class, highlighting the importance of mastering AI technology for future job security.

Presenters/Contributors:

• Dhruv Rathee (main presenter)
• Aviation experts referenced: Captain Sohail Handa, U.S. Navy Captain Steve Scheibner
• Former Boeing employees and whistleblowers cited (e.g., Cynthia Kitchens, Sam Salepur, Joseph Clayton, John Barnett)
• Passengers and eyewitnesses (e.g., survivor Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, passenger Akash Vatsa, teenager Aryan Ari)
• Investigative reports from Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The Indian Express, and others mentioned.

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