Explosive new video reveals Air India Boeing 787 suffered catastrophic dual engine failure after takeoff, sparking worst aviation disaster in over a decade.
At least 270 lives were lost, including 241 passengers, when Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed into homes moments after departure on 12 June.
Captain Calls It a “Gamechanger”
Veteran pilot Steve Schreiber, known as Captain Steve, has dissected high-definition footage now making waves online. He spotted a vital clue: the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployed under the right wing — a last-resort emergency device.
“That little grey dot is the RAT,” Schreiber said. “It only deploys during total electrical failure, total hydraulic failure, or dual engine failure. Considering the plane’s behaviour, both engines must have failed.”
Black Boxes Found, UK Experts Join Probe
Indian investigators have recovered both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. A team from the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is now on site, lending expertise in aircraft systems and flight operations.
The root cause is still unknown, with authorities racing to piece together the tragedy.
Initial Pilot Error Theory Crumbles
Early speculation blamed pilot error, with whispers that landing gear was retracted too soon. But Schreiber’s new video blows that out of the water, highlighting the RAT’s deployment — something that wouldn’t trigger in a simple landing gear mishap.
“It’s a gamechanger. This footage supports a catastrophic systems failure, not pilot error,” Schreiber said.
British Survivor Describes Horror: “I Watched People Die”
Among the tragedy, 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh is believed to be the sole British survivor. Seated in row 11A, he escaped the carnage that claimed all others around him.
“I still can’t believe how I survived. I saw people dying right before my eyes,” he said from his hospital bed.
Families Grieve as DNA Identification Continues
Authorities in India are processing hundreds of DNA samples to identify victims. Meanwhile, in Harrow, London, mourners from multiple faiths gathered at the Siddhashram Shakti Centre — a spiritual home for many of the victims.
Tragedy also struck the community deeply, with two young girls confirmed orphaned by the crash.
Airline Safety Under Intense Scrutiny
The disaster raises urgent questions about the Boeing 787’s airworthiness, current maintenance standards, and the crew’s ability to handle engine failures.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other global bodies aim to release interim findings in the coming weeks.
