Key points
- The aircraft appeared to take off and climb normally before descending
- Experts caution against premature conclusions without full investigation
- Recovery of the black box is crucial as it records extensive flight data
ISLAMABAD: Aviation experts have offered critical insights into the final moments of the ill-fated aircraft involved in the Ahmedabad plane crash, analysing the pilot’s last communication and the role of the recovered black box in uncovering the cause of the accident.
Speaking to India Today, Captain (retired) Minoo Ruci Wadia, founder president of the Federation of Indian Pilots and a former Air India pilot, cautioned against premature conclusions. Captain Wadia said the aircraft appeared to have taken off normally. He dismissed speculation that the plane was too heavy or lacked sufficient thrust, explaining that in such cases, the pilot would not have executed a standard climb but would have levelled out to gain speed.
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According to Wadia, the aircraft was airborne for approximately 25 seconds, reaching an altitude of around 600 feet before descending. He noted that the pilot likely encountered a problem shortly after rotation and focused first on controlling the aircraft and assessing the emergency. Only after this brief window did the pilot manage to inform air traffic control (ATC) of the situation, indicating an inability to maintain height and thrust.
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“The transmission from the cockpit must be understood in the context of when the emergency occurred,” Wadia said, emphasising that any speculation about causes—ranging from mechanical failure to sabotage or bird strikes—remains unsubstantiated without further evidence.
Retired Air Commodore BS Siwach, currently Director General of Aviation Safety in India, also spoke on the programme, highlighting the pilot’s composure under extreme stress. “Despite losing thrust and lift, the pilot remained calm and managed to convey a distress message to ATC,” he noted.
“Very encouraging sign”
Air Commodore Siwach called the recovery of the aircraft’s black box a “very encouraging sign.” He explained that the flight data recorder captures over 100 parameters, including engine health, speed, altitude, rate of climb or descent, and more. This data, he said, will be invaluable to investigators attempting to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the cause of the crash.
“The black box is a proactive tool that not only helps in post-accident investigations but also in preventing future accidents,” he added, noting that it captures data from all phases of flight—take-off, climb, cruise, descent, approach, and landing.
While the investigation is ongoing, both experts urged patience and caution, stressing the importance of waiting for verified data before drawing conclusions.
