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The Age
2 hours ago
- General
- The Age
Investigators probe dual-engine failure theory in Air India disaster
Whether or why both engines would have simultaneously lost power remains unknown, but investigators will seek additional clues from the two flight recorders, from which data has been extracted and is being analysed. The investigation is exploring a wide range of scenarios, though a closer focus is on technical issues, the people said. Pilots who reviewed the footage have noted that the landing gear was already partially tilted forward, suggesting the cockpit crew had initiated the wheel retraction sequence. At the same time, the landing gear doors had not opened, which pilots say might mean that the aircraft experienced a loss of power or a hydraulic failure, again pointing to possible issues with the engines that provide the aircraft's electricity. The engines of modern aircraft are computer-controlled using a system called Full Authority Digital Engine Control, or FADEC, which helps pilots control an aircraft's power and makes sure the engines are used efficiently and not outside their operating limits. An emergency turbine, called the RAT, which deploys from the back of the aircraft in the case of electrical failure, was activated before the plane crashed, according to previous findings. That fan helps provide the aircraft with vital power, though it's far too small to generate any lift. Fifteen seconds Analysis of the wreckage suggests the wing flaps and slats, which help an aircraft increase lift during takeoff, were extended correctly. The crash ranks as the worst accident in Indian civil aviation in several decades, and it's the first time that a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been lost to an accident. The pilots, who died in the crash, sent out a mayday signal shortly after takeoff. There were only about 15 seconds between the distress call and impact, two people familiar with the investigation said. Teams from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board are supporting the investigation on the ground. It's unknown when authorities will give an update on the flight recorder data, which typically provides a comprehensive analysis of an aircraft's settings and performance metrics as well as conversations in the cockpit.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Investigators probe dual-engine failure theory in Air India disaster
Whether or why both engines would have simultaneously lost power remains unknown, but investigators will seek additional clues from the two flight recorders, from which data has been extracted and is being analysed. The investigation is exploring a wide range of scenarios, though a closer focus is on technical issues, the people said. Pilots who reviewed the footage have noted that the landing gear was already partially tilted forward, suggesting the cockpit crew had initiated the wheel retraction sequence. At the same time, the landing gear doors had not opened, which pilots say might mean that the aircraft experienced a loss of power or a hydraulic failure, again pointing to possible issues with the engines that provide the aircraft's electricity. The engines of modern aircraft are computer-controlled using a system called Full Authority Digital Engine Control, or FADEC, which helps pilots control an aircraft's power and makes sure the engines are used efficiently and not outside their operating limits. An emergency turbine, called the RAT, which deploys from the back of the aircraft in the case of electrical failure, was activated before the plane crashed, according to previous findings. That fan helps provide the aircraft with vital power, though it's far too small to generate any lift. Fifteen seconds Analysis of the wreckage suggests the wing flaps and slats, which help an aircraft increase lift during takeoff, were extended correctly. The crash ranks as the worst accident in Indian civil aviation in several decades, and it's the first time that a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been lost to an accident. The pilots, who died in the crash, sent out a mayday signal shortly after takeoff. There were only about 15 seconds between the distress call and impact, two people familiar with the investigation said. Teams from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board are supporting the investigation on the ground. It's unknown when authorities will give an update on the flight recorder data, which typically provides a comprehensive analysis of an aircraft's settings and performance metrics as well as conversations in the cockpit.
NDTV
21 hours ago
- NDTV
Crash Due To Dual Engine Failure? Air India Pilots Hold Simulated Flight
More than two weeks after the deadly crash of an Air India plane that killed all but one of the 242 people on board, investigators and the airline are studying possible dual engine failure as a scenario that prevented the Boeing Co. 787 jet from staying airborne. Pilots from the airline reenacted the doomed aircraft's parameters in a flight simulator, including with the landing gear deployed and the wing flaps retracted, and found those settings alone didn't cause a crash, according to people familiar with the investigation. The result, alongside the previous discovery that an emergency-power turbine deployed seconds before impact, has reinforced the focus on a technical failure as one possible cause, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing non-public deliberations. The simulated flight was conducted separately from the official probe being led by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, or AAIB, and was done to explore possible scenarios, one of the people said. The Boeing 787 that crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12 was powered by two engines made by General Electric Co. Video footage of the aircraft showed the plane struggling to gain altitude after taking off, and then sinking back to the ground, where it exploded. Additional Clues Boeing declined to comment and deferred any questions to AAIB, while GE said it cannot comment on an active investigation. The AAIB and Air India did not respond to a request for comment. Whether or why both engines would have simultaneously lost power remains unknown, but investigators will seek additional clues from the two flight recorders, whose data has been extracted and is undergoing analysis. The investigation is exploring a wide range of scenarios, though a closer focus is on technical issues, the people said. Pilots who reviewed the footage have pointed to the fact that the landing gear was already partially tilted forward, suggesting the cockpit crew had initiated the retraction sequence of the wheels. At the same time, the landing-gear doors had not opened, which pilots say might mean that the aircraft experienced a loss of power or a hydraulic failure - again pointing to possible issues with the engines that provide the aircraft's electricity. The engines of modern aircraft are computer controlled using a system called Full Authority Digital Engine Control, or FADEC, which helps pilots control an aircraft's power and makes sure the engines are used efficiently and not outside their operating limits. An emergency turbine called the RAT, which deploys from the back of the aircraft in the case of electrical failure, was activated before the plane crashed, according to previous findings. That fan helps provide the aircraft with vital power, though it's far too small to generate any lift. 15 Seconds Analysis of the wreckage suggests the wing flaps and slats, which help an aircraft increase lift during takeoff, were extended correctly. The crash ranks as the worst accident in Indian civil aviation in several decades, and it's the first time that a Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been lost to an accident. The pilots, who died in the crash, sent out a Mayday signal shortly after takeoff. There were only about 15 seconds between the distress call and impact, two people familiar with the investigation said. Teams from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board are supporting the investigation on the ground. It's unknown when authorities will give an update from readout of the flight recorders, which typically provide a comprehensive analysis of an aircraft's settings and performance metrics as well as conversations in the cockpit.
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Boeing Stock Holds Steady as Investigators Zero In on Air India Crash Clues
Aerospace stock Boeing (BA) remained steady today as the investigation into the crash of Air India Flight 171 continues. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating a scheduled service from Ahmedabad to London, plunged to the ground just seconds after takeoff on June 12, killing all but one of the 242 people on board in what has become India's worst aviation disaster in decades. At least 30 people on the ground also lost their lives when the jet crashed into the BJ Medical College complex, barely two kilometers from the runway. Don't Miss TipRanks' Half-Year Sale Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. The 12-year-old Dreamliner had undergone a full 'C check' in 2023 and engine overhauls earlier this year. Despite that maintenance, the jet failed to gain proper altitude before crashing and bursting into flames just 32 seconds after departure. Investigators are focusing on a range of potential causes, including a rare dual-engine failure. The aircraft's engines, built by General Electric and controlled by a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, are designed to prevent precisely such catastrophic events. Investigators have also highlighted the deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) moments before the crash, which suggests a sudden electrical failure may have occurred. Though the RAT can provide emergency power, it cannot keep an aircraft in the air. In simulator recreations of the doomed flight, pilots used the same takeoff configuration but were unable to replicate the loss of altitude. Experts are exploring whether a loss of hydraulic power, which depends on functioning engines, could have prevented the landing gear doors from opening properly, compounding the emergency. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), supported by Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board, has recovered and begun analyzing data from the plane's Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders, which store at least 88 flight parameters and 25 hours of cockpit voice recordings. These black boxes, designed to survive extreme forces, should help reconstruct the final moments. Murlidhar Mohol, India's minister of state for civil aviation, confirmed that all possibilities – from fuel issues to electrical and hydraulic malfunctions – are under examination, along with the chance of sabotage. 'It has never happened that both engines have shut down together,' he remarked, noting that CCTV footage and other evidence are also being reviewed. According to international guidelines, a preliminary report must be filed within 30 days of the accident. Sources say this report, expected by July 11, will run four to five pages and include key facts about the aircraft, crew, weather, and conditions at the time of the crash, along with early conclusions and recommendations for further investigation. A complete report is expected in about three months. Should You Bet on Boeing Stock Right Now? Wall Street remains firmly bullish on Boeing, with analysts collectively handing the stock a Strong Buy consensus rating. The breakdown includes 17 Buy recommendations, 2 Holds, and just a single Sell. With an average price target of $226.42, Boeing shares could gain another ~8% from current levels. (See Boeing stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Air India Boeing 787 crash: What brought down AI 171 plane in Ahmedabad? Simulation puts focus on technical failure
Air India pilots have conducted simulations of the ill-fated flight's conditions. (PTI photo) Air India plane crash : Over a fortnight after the fatal Air India aircraft disaster that claimed lives of all onboard except for a single survivor, investigators alongside the airline are analysing the possibility of simultaneous engine failures that may have caused the Boeing 787 aircraft to lose altitude and crash. Air India pilots have conducted simulations of the ill-fated flight's conditions in a simulator, testing scenarios with extended landing gear and retracted wing flaps. These simulations revealed that these configurations alone would not have resulted in a crash, according to sources close to the investigation quoted in a Bloomberg report. These findings, coupled with the earlier detection of an emergency-power turbine activation moments before impact, have strengthened the investigation's focus towards technical malfunction as a potential cause, sources said in the report. Air India Plane Crash Simulation & Clues The cause of simultaneous power loss in both engines remains unclear, whilst investigators continue their analysis of data from the two flight recorders. Whilst the investigation considers various possibilities, technical matters have become a primary focus, according to sources familiar with the matter. The test flight simulation was performed independently of the formal investigation being conducted by India's AAIB, with the purpose of examining potential circumstances, according to one source familiar with the matter. The ill-fated Boeing 787 that met with disaster in Ahmedabad on June 12 utilised two General Electric Co. manufactured engines. Visual recordings captured the aircraft's unsuccessful attempt to achieve height post-takeoff, followed by its descent to the ground, finally leading to the crash. Aviation experts who studied the footage noted the forward tilt of the landing gear, indicating that the flight crew had begun retracting the wheels. The unopened landing-gear doors, combined with the gear position, suggests potential power loss or hydraulic system failure. This observation further strengthens the possibility of engine-related issues, as the engines supply the aircraft's electrical power, the Bloomberg report said. Computer-operated systems known as Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) regulate modern aircraft engines. This technology assists pilots in managing aircraft power while ensuring optimal engine performance within specified operational boundaries. Also Read | Air India plane crash: 787 Dreamliner is Boeing's flagship product - 10 things to know about aircraft model involved in Ahmedabad crash Previous investigations revealed that prior to the crash, the RAT (Ram Air Turbine), an emergency turbine located at the aircraft's rear section, was deployed. Although this device supplies crucial electrical power during system failures, its small size prevents it from producing any aerodynamic lift. Examination of the debris indicates that the wing flaps and slats, crucial components for enhancing aircraft lift during takeoff, were in their proper extended position. This incident stands as the most severe in Indian civil aviation history over multiple decades, and represents the first catastrophic loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The flight crew, who did not survive the incident, issued a Mayday distress signal moments after becoming airborne. According to two sources close to the investigation, approximately 15 seconds elapsed between the emergency call and the aircraft's impact. Representatives from Boeing and the US National Transportation Safety Board are present on site to assist with the investigative process. The timeline for authorities to release findings from the flight data recorders remains uncertain. These devices traditionally provide detailed information about aircraft configurations, operational parameters and flight deck communications. Also Read | Air India AI 171 plane crash in Ahmedabad: Flying has become safer over the decades; last 5 years safest since 2000 Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
