Hot Topic #8: Air India 787 Crash — Unpacking the Tragedy, Theories & Safety Concerns

Welcome to Hot Topic #8 on the Black Box Aviation Podcast with your hosts Tom & Mike, where we break down the latest and most pressing events in aviation. Today’s episode takes a hard look at the tragic Air India crash involving a Boeing 787 that went down on June 12th shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London.We examine:The sequence of events captured on video, including the unusually high angle of attack, gear still down, and ultimate impact beyond the runway.Possible causes ranging from flap/slat misconfiguration to mechanical failures, and even a misstep in gear vs. flap retraction during the critical “positive rate” phase.New, unconfirmed technical details including a dual engine rollback possibly linked to monsoon-induced electrical failure via the Ground Power Unit (GPU) housing — and the implications of RAT deployment in such a scenario.We explore Air India’s history, from its Tata family roots and bureaucratic past to its recent privatization struggles, safety record, and operational culture.Plus:✈️ A quick primer on flaps, slats, takeoff calculations, and how high-stakes decisions get made in just seconds at rotation.🚨 This is an evolving investigation — we’ll continue to report as more verifiable information becomes available.📬 Connect with Us:📧 [email protected]📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01📱 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Drop your name and thoughts; we might feature you in a future episode!