Double-Engine Failure Could Be Behind Air India Ahmedabad Crash, But Too Early To Conclude: Sources

6 days ago 5

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Last Updated:June 12, 2025, 17:44 IST

Aviation experts told CNN-News18 that if a single engine of an aircraft fails, the pilots can land the plane as soon as possible at the nearest airport or runway

Firefighters work at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. (AFP photo)

What led to the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on Thursday? While the Directorate of Civil Aviation and Air India are probing the reasons behind the tragic crash, sources have told CNN-News18 that it could be double-engine failure, but it’s still too soon to confirm.

Reports say the pilot of the flight AI-171 enroute from Ahmedabad to London gave a Mayday call to the Air Traffic Control. Sources say that a Mayday call is sent out by the pilot when both the engines of the aircraft have failed.

Aviation experts told CNN-News18 that if a single engine of an aircraft fails, the pilots can land the plane as soon as possible at the nearest airport or runway. However, that did not seem to be the case here, sources said.

An expert also said that the speed of the aircraft also varies from city to city and also in different temperatures and heights.

The aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which is a mid-size, twin-engine, wide-body jet airliner. Known for its fuel efficiency, comfortable passenger experience, and innovative design features like large windows with electronic dimming. The expert added that it was unbelievable to see a Dreamliner crash.

Meanwhile, reports said that all 242 people on board the Air India aircraft have died. Reports also said that there were possibilities of casualties on the ground too as the plane crashed on a medical college building.

According to reports, the plane crashed directly on the BJ Medical College UG hostel mess in Meghani Nagar. Reports say several students may have died on the ground as Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) claimed students were present at the hostel mess at the time of the crash.

Speaking to CNN-News18, Harshit, a medical student, said he was having lunch at the time when the plane crashed into the building next to the one he was in. Harshit’s friend, who was at the crash site, is currently admitted to the hospital. Harshit mentioned that the building where the plane crashed housed resident doctors.