While the cause of the Air India crash that killed 265 people in India has not yet been officially announced, a new allegation shaking the aviation world has emerged. Commercial pilot and aviation analyst Captain Steve has claimed that the co-pilot may have accidentally retracted the wing flaps instead of the landing gear after takeoff.
Disaster Struck Minutes After Takeoff
An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner had taken off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, bound for London Gatwick Airport in the UK, when it crashed into a residential area shortly after departure. Of the 242 passengers and crew on board, 241 lost their lives, and 24 people on the ground were also killed. The sole survivor remains in intensive care.
Was It a Flap Error?
Captain Steve, known for analysing aviation accidents on YouTube, made the following striking comments in his review of flight AI171:
“Right after takeoff, the captain instructs the co-pilot to ‘retract the landing gear.’ However, the co-pilot likely pulled the flap lever instead of the landing gear lever by mistake. In such a case, the flaps retract suddenly, causing the aircraft to lose significant altitude during climb-out.”
Wing Shape Clue on the 787 Raises Further Doubts
Another technical detail supporting Captain Steve’s claims emerged in footage from the aircraft’s takeoff. Typically, the wings of the 787 Dreamliner flex upward due to their aerodynamic structure during takeoff. However, in footage of the crashed aircraft, this characteristic flexing is not visible—suggesting the flaps may have retracted early.
Pilot Error or Technical Malfunction?
Although no official crash report has been released yet, Captain Steve’s theory points to human error rather than a technical malfunction. If the allegation proves true, it could raise serious questions about cockpit procedures and task distribution between pilots.
Deadliest Crash in the Last Decade
With a total of 265 fatalities, this tragedy has gone down as one of the most devastating aviation accidents in both Indian and global aviation history in the past ten years. Of those on board, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian.
Air India has announced that a comprehensive investigation is underway, with international experts also involved in the process.