KKN Gurugram Desk | In the aftermath of one of India’s most devastating aviation disasters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary P.K. Mishra visited the Air India crash site in Ahmedabad on Sunday. He also inspected the civil hospital, where the sole survivor of the crash is currently under treatment. The tragic incident occurred last Thursday when a Dreamliner aircraft of Air India crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard.
Teen Captures Critical Crash Moment on Video
A startling new lead in the investigation has emerged in the form of a mobile video captured by Aryan Asari, a 12th-grade student who happened to be on his terrace during the tragic incident. The video clearly shows the moment just before the crash, including abnormal flight behavior and sounds indicating possible system failure.
Aryan, who was visiting his father in Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad, began recording the aircraft out of curiosity. What he unintentionally captured could prove crucial in understanding the technical reasons behind the crash.
Technical Analysis: RAT Activation and Power Failure Under Scrutiny
Based on the video footage, experts are now examining the activation of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)—a backup power-generating device used in emergency situations. The RAT appearing deployed in the video suggests that the aircraft may have experienced a complete electrical or hydraulic failure shortly after takeoff.
This aligns with the account of the lone survivor, Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, who recalled hearing a loud bang followed by a sudden blackout in the cabin and the flicker of a green emergency light. Vishwas also noted that the pilot issued a Mayday call shortly after.
Investigators are now focusing on whether the aircraft’s Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) or RAT were properly functioning, and if their activation was triggered by a dual engine failure, a scenario extremely rare in aviation.
Flight Data Recorder Recovered, Investigation in Full Swing
Authorities have successfully recovered the aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR)—commonly referred to as the Black Box. This device is expected to provide definitive information about what happened in the critical moments before the crash.
However, Aryan’s video is also being analyzed for audio-visual clues, including unusual engine noises, the aircraft’s position, descent angle, and emergency system behavior.
Refueling Delay Raises New Questions
According to a source present at the airport, the aircraft took an unusually long time—42 minutes—for refueling, which might indicate equipment-related delays or operational anomalies. While some aviation experts argue that such delays can be common in international operations, the context of the crash has raised red flags.
Experts are not ruling out the possibility that the refueling process might have contributed to or reflected deeper technical issues.
Simultaneous Engine Failure: Rare but Not Impossible
Initial theories dismissed the idea that both engines could have failed at once. However, if RAT deployment was automatic, it could suggest a serious systemic breakdown, likely due to total electrical failure or loss of hydraulic power—both of which can result from engine failure.
Aviation analysts say this would now become a central question in the investigation, and the implications could lead to global scrutiny of the aircraft model and maintenance protocols.
Landing Gear and Flap Errors? Multiple Failures Suspected
In such high-fatality aviation accidents, multiple system failures are often involved. Experts who have reviewed the video believe that the aircraft’s landing gear may not have retracted, despite the plane being airborne.
This is concerning because the rotation (nose lift) of the aircraft appeared normal, yet the landing gear remained down, potentially indicating hydraulic system malfunction or pilot error under stress.
Some speculate that even flaps may not have been properly retracted after takeoff, which could destabilize lift dynamics and speed.
Psychological Impact on Teen Eyewitness
Aryan Asari, the teen who filmed the crash, is still recovering from the psychological trauma of witnessing the incident. He had arrived in Ahmedabad the same morning to visit his father, a retired army personnel currently working as a security guard with Ahmedabad Metro.
Speaking briefly to journalists before returning to his village in Aravalli district, Aryan said, “I just want to forget that day. I had no idea that the plane I was filming would crash moments later.”
Aryan’s landlord, Kailashba, confirmed that it was Aryan’s first visit to the city. The video was initially sent to his father and later went viral on social media and news channels, sparking widespread public attention.
Regulatory Bodies Warn Against Jumping to Conclusions
While the video is a key lead, authorities have cautioned against drawing conclusions based solely on visual evidence. As Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized earlier, the final determination will be based on technical evaluation, black box data, and structured investigation protocols.
A senior official from India’s aviation regulatory agency also noted that the blast sound in the video could relate to lower hatch failure, which may have triggered the RAT. But several other mechanical or operational causes are being evaluated in parallel.
Not One Error – But A Chain Reaction?
Most aviation disasters result not from a single failure, but from a cascade of technical malfunctions and misjudgments. This case may be no different.
Initially, it was believed that the landing gear issue alone was responsible. However, with new footage suggesting problems with the flap retraction mechanism and electrical system, investigators now suspect a combination of factors led to the catastrophe.
As the nation mourns the lives lost in the Air India AI-171 crash, authorities continue to piece together every bit of evidence to understand what truly went wrong. From technical malfunctions to operational delays, and now a teenager’s video, each clue is a vital puzzle piece in what could become one of India’s most complex aviation investigations.
Stay with KKN Live for continuing coverage of this developing story, expert insights, and verified updates directly from the aviation probe team.
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