**Bird Strike Suspected in Air India Crash, Say Aviation Experts**
A devastating Air India plane crash, which occurred shortly after leaving Ahmedabad Airport and was destined for London Gatwick, may have been triggered by multiple bird strikes, according to early assessments from aviation professionals. With 53 Britons among those onboard, the incident has prompted urgent questions about the sequence of events leading to the crash.
Former aviator Saurabh Bhatnagar, speaking to Indian broadcasters, voiced the initial theory that “multiple bird hits” could have been responsible for catastrophic engine failure. He observed, “It appears, at first glance, both engines lost power almost simultaneously, which is rare and points to something extraordinary like a significant bird ingestion. The plane was climbing smoothly after take-off, but almost immediately began to descend uncontrollably, suggesting power was lost before the landing gear could be retracted.”
Bhatnagar also commented on the manner in which the plane crashed, noting that footage indicated a “controlled descent”, a detail that might shed light on pilot response in the final moments. The phenomenon of bird strikes—collisions between birds and aircraft during flight, take-off or landing—remains an ongoing concern for the industry. Large flocks entering an engine at critical moments can cause sudden and severe power loss, sometimes with devastating consequences.
The industry has implemented several preventative measures to reduce such incidents, including fitting aircraft with high-visibility lights and employing airport-based deterrents like noise cannons to scare away birds. However, figures from the Civil Aviation Authority highlight the challenge, with 1,432 bird strike incidents reported in the UK during 2022 alone.
Aviation expert Professor John McDermid, from the University of York, has cautioned against drawing firm conclusions until further details emerge. “While the take-off and landing phases are statistically the most dangerous parts of any flight, it is highly unusual for a crash to occur before an aircraft has reached 200 metres in altitude. If pilots experience issues during the initial roll, they can usually abort with moments to spare. The fact this tragedy unfolded so suddenly suggests a catastrophic and unmanageable failure,” he explained.
Professor McDermid added that it is unlikely the crash related to factors such as excess aircraft weight or fuel imbalance, noting, “Strict protocols and multiple redundancies are in place for these checks. Passenger jets are designed to fly safely even if one engine fails.”
Adding further insight, Graham Braithwaite, who leads Aerospace at Cranfield University, stressed that take-off is a time where even minor setbacks demand instant, decisive action from the cockpit crew. “At this stage, there’s precious little time to diagnose and solve problems before altitudes become perilously low,” Braithwaite said.
Weather, frequently a significant factor in aviation disasters, does not appear to have contributed to this incident. Professor Paul Williams, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Reading, described the conditions on the day as “ideal for flying. Clear skies, warm temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius, and calm winds meant visibility was excellent, with no turbulence expected.”
Both India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and Britain’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch are expected to mount parallel inquiries, as the number of British citizens onboard triggers international cooperation. No confirmed survivors have been reported as investigators continue to work through the aftermath of the crash.
Stewart Wingate, chief executive at London Gatwick, shared his condolences: “We are deeply saddened by the news of today’s tragedy involving Air India flight AI171. Our efforts are now focused on supporting the friends and families of those affected, and a reception centre will provide information and grief counselling.” According to Gatwick, Air India operates up to twelve flights from the airport each week, including several direct departures to Ahmedabad.
As investigations continue and families await answers, the aviation community is bracing for a detailed examination of how a routine departure could so quickly unravel into disaster. In the meantime, attention is also returning to the thorny and persistent issue of preventing bird strikes—a challenge that remains, quite literally, up in the air.