To date, over 1,175 Dreamliners have achieved nearly 5 million flights, amassing more than 30 million hours in the skies.
The crash today involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operated by Air India marks the first-ever incident of this aircraft model since its commercial debut. While the cause is still under investigation, aviation experts are reviewing footage from the aircraft’s last moments to develop initial theories. Preliminary visual evidence suggests that the engines may have ingested a flock of birds shortly after takeoff while en route to London.
Flight AI171, destined for Gatwick Airport, took off at 1:30 PM local time but crashed shortly thereafter. Early reports indicate there are “many fatalities.”
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 individuals: 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots. An official from Ahmedabad confirmed the aircraft crashed into a medical hostel. Emergency responders, including police and firefighters, arrived at the scene within minutes, and rescue operations are currently ongoing.
A video circulating online shows smoke rising from the crash site, with witnesses from another flight observing the aftermath.
No Weather Issues Reported
Flight safety expert Marco Chan stated that there were no adverse weather conditions reported at the time of takeoff. “There were no clouds, winds, or storms—nothing that could have contributed to the crash,” he added.
Multiple Bird Strike Theory
Former pilot Saurabh Bhatnagar suggested that the likely cause of the crash was multiple bird strikes. “Early indicators point to several bird hits, which resulted in a loss of power in both engines,” he explained.
Bhatnagar noted that the takeoff appeared smooth until the landing gear was retracted, at which point the aircraft began to descend. “This typically occurs if thrust is lost or the ascent is disrupted. The investigation will confirm the precise cause.” The pilot had issued a “Mayday” distress call.
Aviation analyst Sanjay Lazar added, “This could explain the difficulty in maintaining altitude. If multiple bird strikes occurred, the engines likely couldn’t generate power for more than six to seven minutes, ultimately leading to the crash.” He stressed that the aircraft was relatively new—just 11 years old—making mechanical failure less likely.
First Dreamliner Crash in 14 Years of Operation
This event marks the first crash of any Boeing 787 Dreamliner variant in the 14 years since its commercial launch. The Dreamliner first took to the skies in 2009 and entered service in 2011. Just six weeks prior, Boeing celebrated the milestone of transporting one billion passengers on Dreamliner aircraft.
Boeing reports that over 1,175 Dreamliners worldwide have completed nearly 5 million flights, accumulating over 30 million flight hours.
While there have been technical issues in the past—primarily concerning lithium-ion batteries in 2013—none had previously resulted in a crash or fatalities.
This incident poses a significant challenge for Boeing, which is already under scrutiny following fatal incidents involving its 737 series.
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