Why Did AI Plane Lose Power Before Crashing In Ahmedabad? Telemetry May Hold The Answer | Exclusive

Last Updated:July 04, 2025, 11:48 IST

AI plane crash in Ahmedabad: A satellite-based telemetry is an automated process of gathering and transmitting data from an aircraft to a ground station or other remote locations

On June 13, investigators recovered the black box of the London-bound plane from the rooftop of the medical college hostel. (PTI)

The air-borne satellite-based telemetry is likely to give investigators an insight into Air India 171’s last moments of operation before the crash in Ahmedabad, according to sources.

A satellite-based telemetry is an automated process of gathering and transmitting data from an aircraft to a ground station or to other remote locations. This data is critical for monitoring critical components such as the speed of the aircraft, its altitude and other parameters. Sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, temperature and pressure sensors must have collected the data on the AI 171 flight.

The data is used for real-time monitoring and diagnostics of an air-borne aircraft.

Investigators believe this will give them accurate data-based insight into what possibly went wrong with the instruments leading to power loss on AI 171.

THE JUNE 12 CRASH

The London-bound aircraft crashed into a B J Medical College’s hostel complex in Meghaninagar moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.39 pm on June 12, killing 270 persons, including 241 on board. Only one passenger survived. Five MBBS students of B J Medical College were also killed.

Officials familiar with the investigation into the crash of Air India flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick suspect a sudden power failure shortly after takeoff may have brought down the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which crashed into a medical hostel building after gaining an altitude of only 625 feet. The aircraft did not reach the minimum altitude required to execute an emergency turnaround or make use of its Ram Air Turbine (RAT), a backup system designed to power critical functions in case of total electrical loss.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is leading the investigation into the crash. The Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder have also been recovered from the debris, a crucial discovery that is expected to help ascertain the cause of the horrific accident.

Anvit Srivastava

Anvit Srivastava, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, covers crime, security, policing and society in Delhi. His impactful ground reports have helped him make his mark among the select credited journalists i...Read More

Anvit Srivastava, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, covers crime, security, policing and society in Delhi. His impactful ground reports have helped him make his mark among the select credited journalists i...

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