Introduction
On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport Air India plane crash, claiming at least 204 lives. As investigators search for answers, a deeper look into the science behind aircraft takeoff reveals just how critical this phase of flight truly is—and how minor anomalies can lead to catastrophic consequences.
What Went Wrong with Flight AI171?
The Dreamliner, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, was headed to London but crashed into a nearby medical college complex after climbing just 625 feet. Video evidence shows the aircraft’s landing gear remained extended and the wing flaps were fully retracted—an unusual and dangerous configuration during the takeoff phase.
This has raised alarms among aviation experts, with theories ranging from mechanical failure to emergency actions taken by the crew to mitigate possible engine trouble Air India plane crash.
The Four Forces of Flight
To understand what went wrong, we must revisit the basics. Aircraft movement, especially during takeoff, is governed by four fundamental forces Air India plane crash:
- Lift – The upward force generated by wing shape and airflow.
- Weight – The downward pull of gravity on the aircraft.
- Thrust – The forward force provided by the engines.
- Drag – The air resistance opposing the plane’s motion.
For an aircraft to leave the ground, lift must exceed weight and thrust must overcome drag. A disruption in any of these forces—caused by engine failure, configuration errors, or pilot error—can endanger the flight.
How a Normal Takeoff Works
During takeoff, the engines generate forward thrust, propelling the plane down the runway. As it gains speed, air flows faster over the top of the wings than beneath, creating lower pressure above and generating lift—based on Bernoulli’s Principle.
At the correct rotation speed (Vr), the pilot pulls back slightly on the control column. This increases the angle of attack, allowing the aircraft to lift off. The gear is then retracted, and the flaps are gradually retracted only as altitude and speed increase.
How the AI171 Configuration Defied Physics
According to video and flight data analysis:
- The aircraft’s flaps were already fully retracted—greatly reducing lift.
- The landing gear was never fully retracted—increasing drag.
- The aircraft appeared to lose altitude rapidly—suggesting a possible stall due to insufficient lift.
This mix of low lift and high drag could prevent the plane from climbing safely. At only 625 feet, the flight likely entered an unrecoverable stall.
Why Lift and Flap Settings Are Critical
Flaps are essential in increasing the surface area of the wings, helping generate more lift at lower speeds. Retracting flaps too early—especially with gear down—removes that added lift and leaves the plane vulnerable to stalling, particularly if it hasn’t achieved sufficient speed or altitude.
Human Error or Mechanical Failure?
Experts are still determining whether the flap retraction was caused by a technical fault or a crew response to another malfunction—such as an engine issue or landing gear hydraulics failure. The landing gear briefly attempted to retract but was quickly extended again, possibly indicating a failure warning in the cockpit.
Conclusion: Lessons from a Catastrophe
The Air India plane crash of flight AI171 serves as a grim reminder of how critical every second is during takeoff. The coordination between thrust, lift, gear, and flap settings is a delicate balance that must be maintained with precision.
While final reports from the DGCA and Boeing are awaited, the preliminary science-backed analysis makes one thing clear—takeoff is one of the most complex, high-stakes moments in flight, and understanding its physics may help prevent future disasters.
Learn More
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External Resource: India Today Science: The Science Behind Aircraft Takeoff