Safety experts have indicated that investigators will focus on the reasons behind the descent of the Air India plane during takeoff. The complexity of plane crash investigations often results in lengthy processes, sometimes taking months or even years to ascertain the causes.
Early analysis from aviation experts, prompted by video footage of the crash, highlighted that the plane was descending with its nose pointed upward, an unusual position for an aircraft in flight. John Cox, a former airline pilot, remarked that the plane appeared to be in a climbing position despite actually descending, raising questions about the circumstances leading to this anomaly.
Experts, including Cox, advised caution against premature conclusions, noting that aircraft and aviation systems are designed with multiple redundancies to prevent single points of failure from resulting in disasters. Typically, crashes are attributed to a combination of factors, such as equipment malfunctions, maintenance issues, and pilot error. Initial hypotheses may often be dismissed during detailed investigations.
Greg Feith, a former investigator at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), outlined critical questions that need to be addressed, such as whether the aircraft was properly configured for takeoff and if there were any issues related to thrust or fuel supply.
The NTSB announced it will send a team to India to assist with the investigation, which is being led by India's aviation authority. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also offered technical support, alongside similar assistance from the UK's relevant aviation authority.
Video evidence suggested that the plane's descent might have been controlled, indicating that pilots could have been attempting to manage airspeed to reduce impact severity. However, the implications of this observation could vary widely.
Weather conditions, particularly high temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in Ahmedabad, where the flight originated, may have complicated the takeoff, as warm air affects engine thrust and overall lift capability.
While a full investigation may extend beyond a year, experts like Feith noted that identifying safety-critical issues promptly is essential to implement corrective measures effectively.
The plane's black boxes will likely yield significant preliminary insights. The flight data recorder captures vital metrics such as altitude and airspeed, while the cockpit voice recorder can reveal critical information about the pilots' actions and the aircraft's status prior to the incident.
Initial assessments of the black box data could be available within days. There are concerns regarding the configuration of the plane during takeoff, particularly whether the wing's flaps were extended appropriately, which is crucial for generating lift at lower speeds.
Experts pointed out that the landing gear remained down during the descent, while the flaps appeared elevated, which could indicate a performance issue if the aircraft was not correctly configured. Additionally, the decision to leave the landing gear down could have been intentional or a response to an immediate problem after takeoff.
The incident has drawn comparisons to a 1987 crash involving Northwest Airlines Flight 255, where failure to extend wing flaps contributed to the accident. However, experts cautioned that the causes of the Air India crash could differ significantly from historical precedents.