The Air India plane that plummeted to the earth with 242 people on board has sparked a lot of questions.
On June 12, an Air India flight left Ahmedabad and was heading for London Gatwick before it suddenly started to fall out of the sky.
Video footage has shown the rapid descent of the plane and upon impact, there was a massive explosion, and plume of smoke was seen rising into the sky.
According to the airline, there were 242 passengers and crew members on board.
Air India added: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, one Canadian national and seven Portuguese nationals.”
Authorities have confirmed that the plane crash landed only four miles away from the airport after only reaching a height of around 625 feet.
The plane crash landed a few miles from the airport only minuntes after takeoff (Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
There have also been reports of one sole survivor from the plane crash, who is still currently in hospital.
An investigation has been launched into what caused the tragedy, but an aviation expert has weighed in on the potential issues that may have arisen.
Former British Airways pilot Alastair Rosenschein spoke to Sky News after analyzing footage of the plane crash.
Rosenschein pointed out some clear issues that he says may have contributed to the plane failing to take off properly.
He said: “It’s clearly got its [landing] gear down and that is not correct… it should have been up. And from the video… it’s not immensely clear… but it does look like the aircraft didn’t have its take-off flap setting.”
The expert emphasized the importance of the wing flaps and how they need to be set correctly to extend the shape of each wing and ultimately give the plane the extra lift needed at lower speeds to take off and climb.
He did note that, at this time, he is only speculating that this could have been a factor.
Authorities are currently still investigating the cause of the plane crash and have not released an official statement on the root cause.
Aurthorities are currently investigating the cause of the crash (Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He added: “[This] could explain why the aircraft came down [as the] aircraft would not have been able to maintain flight.
“The video is not that clear, but it [the flaps setting] doesn’t look right to me.
“The altitude of the aircraft isn’t right either and the aircraft seems to be descending rather than climbing.
“It does look like it’s an aerodynamic issue because of not having the right flaps setting on take-off.”
His comments come after authorities have revealed the alleged final words of the pilot who was flying the plane.
The captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, called out down his radio: “Mayday […] no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.”
Sabharwal reportedly had 22 years worth of experience and had raked up 8,200 hours in the air.
Air India pilot’s reported tragic final words in distressed mayday call before crash that killed 265
The plane crashed back down to the ground after only getting a few miles from Ahmedabad Airport
The tragedy of the Air India crash still leaves many questions unanswered, but what the pilot reportedly said before the disaster has been revealed.
An Air India flight crashed just minutes after taking off from India’s Ahmedabad Airport on Thursday (June 12).
The AI 171 flight was on its way to London Gatwick and was expected to touch down in the UK at 6:25 pm local time.
However, the flight would only reach about 625 feet in the air before plummeting to the ground four miles away from the airport runway.
According to the airline, there were 242 passengers and crew members on board. Air India added: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the crash (Photo by SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images)
There was reportedly only one survivor from the plane crash, 40-year-old British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Kanan Desai, 265 bodies have so far been recovered – including people who died on the ground – but this number may increase as rescue efforts continue.
The exact cause of the crash is currently being investigated, and more details are expected to come out over the coming days.
The two pilots flying the plane have been identified as Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder.
India’s aviation regulator said the aircraft gave a mayday call to air traffic control. However, there was no response from the plane after that.
The captain reportedly called out on his radio: “Mayday […] no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.”
It’s believed that the pair of pilots then attempted to get control of the plane as it sank through the air before crashing into a medical college hostel.
The Chairman of Air India, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, has also released a lengthy statement and offered his condolences, while saying the incident was a ‘tragic accident’.
The cause of the crash is currently being investigated (Siddharaj Solanki/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
He said: “With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
“At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.
“Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families.”
Sole survivor spoke out after Air India plane with 242 on board crashed shortly after takeoff
The survivor spoke of his shock and surprise at the whole incident
Authorities have confirmed that at least one person survived the deadly Air India plane crash and he has spoken to local media about his ordeal.
An Indian flight leaving from Ahmedabad and was bound for London Gatwick crashed back to earth moments after taking off on June 12.
The Air India flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board and of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.
The seemingly sole survivor of the plane crash was a British national, 40 year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.
Ramesh, who was sat in 11a of the flight has spoken to the media about surviving the crash and about his confusion on how he survived.
There is thought to be only one survivor from the plane crash carrying 242(Narendra Modi/Twitter)
The cause of the crash is still under investigation and police have not yet given a final figure of fatalities, from the plane and those on the ground below.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times from a hospital bed in Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Ramesh said: “Thirty seconds after takeoff there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.
“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran. There were pieces of the plane all around me. Someone grabbed hold of me and put me in an ambulance and brought me to the hospital.”
Members of Ramesh’s family have also spoken to the media from Leicester and added that Ramesh has ‘no idea’ how he escaped but they added that he is now doing well.
Dr Dhaval Gameti, who treated Ramesh, said: “He was disorientated, with multiple injuries all over his body. But he seems to be out of danger.”
Speaking of his ordeal, Ramesh said: “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared. I stood up and ran.” (Republic)
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also released a statement on the incident after visiting the crash site.
Sharing pictures of the scene, on a Twitter post, he wrote: “Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy.
“We are all devastated by the air tragedy in Ahmedabad. The loss of so many lives in such a sudden and heartbreaking manner is beyond words. Condolences to all the bereaved families. We understand their pain and also know that the void left behind will be felt for years to come. Om Shanti.”
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Police officials confirm airplane with 242 on board crashed into medical college hostel
The plane crashed minutes after taking off from the airport
Authorities have confirmed the site where an Air India plane crashed moments after takeoff on June 12.
Indian officials have released statements explaining the severity of the situation as investigations have been launched to find the cause of the plane crash.
The AI 171 flight was bound for London Gatwick, and was expected to touch down in the UK 6:25 pm local time.
The plane crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar, after taking off from India’s Ahmedabad Airport and authorities have confirmed the aircraft crashed on a medical college hostel.
According to the airline, there were 242 passengers and crew members on board. Air India added: “Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals.”
Air India said there were 242 passengers and crew members on board (Sky News)
Emergency services are currently on the scene as attempts are made at saving as many lives as possible. Authorities have not yet divulged how many people are confirmed to have died in the incident.
A fire following the crash has resulted in a large plume of smoke rising into the sky near the airport, Ahmedabad, confirmed that all other flights are temporarily suspended until further notice.
The statement added: “Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates before proceeding to the airport. We request your cooperation and patience as authorities manage this evolving situation.”
Video footage ahead of the crash has also begun circulating, showing the plane making a rapid descent before a massive explosion.
The Chairman of Air India, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, has also released a lengthy statement and offered his condolences while saying the incident was a ‘tragic accident’.
Emergency services rushed to the site following the crash (Sky News)
He said: “With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India flight, AI171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.
“At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.
“Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families.”
