- WORLD NEWS. Miracle in Air India crash that killed more than 200: British enger escapes almost unscathed
- WORLD NEWS. An Air India plane bound for London crashes with 242 engers on board
A disturbing video has surfaced showing significant technical malfunctions aboard an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner just hours before it tragically crashed, killing 241 people.
The footage, shared by enger Akash Vatsa, reveals non-functional air conditioning, inoperable seat-back entertainment screens, and a broken crew call button.
Vatsa claims to have flown on the same aircraft just hours before the crash, with his journey being from New Delhi to Ahmedabad. He took the videos with the plan of ing Air India to point out the issues.
The plane later crashed when it set off for London's Gatwick Airport, with surveillance footage capturing smoke or dust emerging from the plane as it took off, followed by a massive explosion.
Pilot's desperate Mayday call
In a harrowing revelation, it has been reported that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal issued a desperate mayday call moments before the crash.
According to The Sun, the pilot radioed, "Mayday... no thrust, losing power, unable to lift," just 11 seconds into the aircraft's ascent. Despite the crew's efforts, the plane failed to gain sufficient altitude and crashed into a doctor's hostel, erupting into a fireball.
The crash has prompted an urgent investigation by Indian authorities, with assistance from the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is leading the probe into the incident. Experts have noted that the aircraft's landing gear was still extended during the crash, which is unusual for a plane that has just taken off.
Aerospace safety consultant Anthony Brickhouse commented that this could be a sign of a technical fault.
Air India has yet to comment on the crash or the reported malfunctions. The cause of the crash remains unconfirmed, though a technical fault is suspected. The airline has promised to cooperate fully with the investigation and provide further updates as more information becomes available.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the maintenance and safety standards of the airline, especially considering the advanced technology of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
This is the first fatal crash involving the aircraft model, which had previously been considered one of the safest and most advanced in commercial aviation.
As the investigation continues, the aviation community and the public await answers to the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful flight.