In a tragedy that has shaken the aviation world, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed just 30 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, escaped from seat 11A, leaving investigators and experts scrambling to unravel the mystery behind this catastrophic event. Fox News has delved into the latest reports, eyewitness accounts, and expert analyses to explore the potential causes of this heart-wrenching disaster. What went wrong in those fleeting moments? Let’s break it down. 🕵️‍♂️🔍

The Crash: A Sudden Descent into Chaos 😞

Flight AI171, en route to London Gatwick with 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, one Canadian, and 12 crew members, lifted off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:39 local time. Within seconds, a loud noise was reported, and the plane lost altitude, crashing into a medical college hostel in the Meghani Nagar area. Video footage captured the aircraft plummeting, followed by a fireball that claimed additional lives on the ground. The rapid sequence— takeoff to impact in under a minute—has raised urgent questions about mechanical failure, human error, or external factors. 😢🔥

Potential Cause #1: Engine Thrust and Flap Malfunctions 🚁⚙️

Investigators are zeroing in on the plane’s engine thrust and wing flaps as primary suspects. A source with direct knowledge told Reuters that the Boeing 787-8, delivered to Air India in 2014, may have experienced issues with its GE Aerospace GEnx engines. Early reports suggest the plane struggled to gain height, possibly due to insufficient thrust or a failure to deploy flaps correctly. Dr. Sonya Brown, a senior lecturer in aerospace design, noted that video evidence hints at a stall—a condition where the wings lose lift—potentially exacerbated by incorrect flap settings. “Even with increased thrust, a stall could occur if the flaps weren’t properly configured,” she said. Could a mechanical glitch or pilot misjudgment have triggered this? 🤔

Potential Cause #2: Landing Gear Anomaly 🛬❌

Another focal point is the landing gear, which may have remained extended during takeoff. Aviation experts speculate that an open landing gear could have increased drag, preventing the plane from climbing effectively. The Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, supported by U.S. and UK teams, is examining maintenance logs to determine if a malfunction or oversight left the gear down. Survivor Ramesh described the plane feeling “stuck in the air” before the crash, a detail that aligns with this theory. Was this a rare equipment failure or a procedural lapse? 🔧

Potential Cause #3: Human Error or Pilot Misstep 👨‍✈️💭

Human error remains a possibility, with some analysts pointing to the pilots’ actions in those critical seconds. The flight crew, including Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with over 8,000 flying hours, issued a mayday call shortly after takeoff, suggesting they recognized a problem. Posts on X have speculated that the copilot may have commanded flaps up instead of gear up, conflicting with the plane’s electronic checklist. While pilot error is a standard avenue of investigation, the experience of the crew casts doubt on this theory. Did a split-second decision under pressure lead to disaster? 😟

Potential Cause #4: External Factors—Weather or Sabotage? 🌩️🔍

Weather conditions on that hot day, with temperatures around 100°F, are under scrutiny. High heat can affect engine performance and air density, potentially contributing to the plane’s inability to ascend. Additionally, former pilot Neil Hansford suggested contaminated fuel or even sabotage amid political tensions in Gujarat as possibilities, though no evidence supports these claims yet. The crash site’s proximity to a residential area also raises questions about obstacles or debris impacting the flight path. Could an unforeseen external force have played a role? 🌡️

The Survivor’s Account: A Glimpse of Hope 🙏

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in the emergency exit row, provided a harrowing firsthand account. “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise, and then the plane crashed,” he told the Hindustan Times. He unfastened his seatbelt and escaped through a break in the fuselage, witnessing others perish. Experts attribute his survival to his quick thinking and proximity to an exit. His story offers a sliver of hope amid the tragedy, but it also underscores the severity of the malfunction that doomed the flight. 🌟

Investigation and Safety Concerns ⚠️

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has recovered both black boxes—the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—offering a path to answers. The ministry of civil aviation has ordered additional safety checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, equipped with GE Aerospace engines, as a precautionary measure. Boeing, facing scrutiny after recent safety issues, has pledged support for the investigation. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has committed $116,000 to each victim’s family, while grieving relatives wait for closure. Will this probe reveal systemic flaws? 💰

A Nation Mourns, a World Watches 🌍😔

The Ahmedabad crash marks the deadliest aviation disaster in India since 1996 and the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787. As rescue teams continue searching for remains and investigators piece together the puzzle, the global aviation community holds its breath. Fox News will keep you updated as more details emerge from this heartbreaking event. What caused this plane to fall in just 30 seconds? The truth may take months to uncover, but the loss of 241 lives demands answers. Stay tuned. 📡