What Caused the Dreamliner Crash? Aviation Expert Explores Possible Tech Failures, Engine Issues, and Sabotage

New Delhi, June 13 (NationPress) Esteemed aviation specialist and flight safety authority S.J. Murlidhar, known for his investigations into significant air disasters, provided his preliminary insights regarding the heartbreaking incident involving a Dreamliner 787 in Ahmedabad. During an in-depth dialogue with IANS, he explored potential factors contributing to this tragedy and whether it might have been preventable.

IANS: In your view, what could have led to this crash?

S.J. Murlidhar: Our investigation process starts with elimination. We catalog every possible scenario on a board, from environmental factors to technical failures. This incident, involving a cutting-edge Dreamliner, is quite peculiar. Airlines might experience minor issues—such as battery failures, windshield cracks, or sporadic smoke—yet these rarely escalate into a catastrophe like this one.

IANS: Is it possible that natural events caused this crash?

S.J. Murlidhar: That is indeed a possibility. Weather significantly impacts aviation safety. Severe conditions like storms, lightning, or even volcanic ash can affect flight operations, causing engine failures or other critical issues. An important factor is windshear or microbursts, particularly during takeoff or landing, which can lead to a sudden loss of lift.

IANS: Is there an indication of a system malfunction?

S.J. Murlidhar: Early evaluations indicate that the aircraft may not have achieved sufficient speed or lift for flight. This could stem from pilot actions or system errors. We examine vital speeds during takeoff—like the 100 knots callout and V1 speed (decision speed). If the aircraft fails to rotate post-V1, safe aborting of takeoff becomes impossible. It seems the aircraft barely took off, suggesting insufficient thrust or improper setup.

IANS: Could engine malfunction have been a factor?

S.J. Murlidhar: Absolutely; an unresponsive engine could be the culprit. A similar scenario occurred at Heathrow with a Boeing 777 from China, where the engines did not respond as expected during landing. In this case, the aircraft did not climb adequately after takeoff, indicating poor engine performance despite pilot commands.

IANS: What about other elements like flaps or loading configurations?

S.J. Murlidhar: Certainly. Improper flap settings for takeoff can prevent adequate lift. Incorrect load distribution and trim errors affecting the center of gravity also pose risks to flight stability. Although these instances are rare, they can occur. Additionally, faulty stabilizer settings could impact performance; however, modern aircraft typically have alert systems to notify the crew.

IANS: Could controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) be a possibility?

S.J. Murlidhar: CFIT usually happens when a functional aircraft unintentionally strikes terrain, similar to the A320 crash in Bangalore in the 1990s. However, this incident occurred right after takeoff at low altitude. While CFIT is a known aviation risk, this crash seems more connected to inadequate lift or thrust. Final conclusions will await the investigators’ report.

IANS: Can we eliminate the possibility of sabotage?

S.J. Murlidhar: Given the heightened tensions post Operation Sindoor, we cannot entirely dismiss sabotage. Although rare, incidents involving fuel tampering or explosive devices have occurred before. One scenario might involve fuel contamination, which can hinder combustion and lead to engine failure. Nonetheless, as of now, there is no visible evidence of an explosion, making a bombing improbable; however, we await forensic findings.

IANS: Could this tragedy have been prevented?

S.J. Murlidhar: Understanding the root cause is essential for prevention. This is where the black box becomes crucial. It serves not only as a recorder but as a comprehensive diagnostic tool, capturing cockpit conversations, technical details, throttle positions, engine performance, and warning systems. Once we retrieve and analyze this data, we will gain clarity.

IANS: When will we ascertain the exact cause?

S.J. Murlidhar: After decoding the black box, which contains both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR), we will uncover what transpired during those critical moments. Until then, we can only speculate based on existing information and historical incidents.