Air India Ahmedabad-London Flight Crash: All You Need To Know About Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

Ahmedabad: In a major tragedy that occurred around 1:50 pm on Thursday, an Air India Flight, AI171, en route to London (Gatwick) from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, crashed shortly after taking off.

The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying a total of 242 people, including 11 children and two infants. The airplane went down near the Ghoda Camp area. Following the crash, a full emergency was declared at the airport, and rescue operations are ongoing. The condition of the passengers or the cause of the accident remains unknown.

Know about the crashed Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. 

About the Crashed Flight 'Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner'

The crashed aircraft had a total of 230 passengers, including 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants, on board. 105 casualties and 40 deaths have been reported till now. The harrowing incident has shaken the nation as rescue operations continue.

The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, AI171, was a mid-sized airplane with twin engines. The wide-body jet airliner is known for its fuel efficiency and comfortable passenger experience. The overall design and features are innovative with large electronic dimming windows.

Structure Made for Fuel Efficiency 

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was the first model of the Boeing Dreamliner series and is globally used by airlines. Reportedly nearly 50% of the 787-8 Dreamliner’s primary structure is made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer, which makes it lighter and more fuel-efficient. The structure also has blunt-leading-edge-raked wingtips and a smoother nose for enhanced airflow and less drag.

Advanced Safety System

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is equipped with advanced navigation and safety controls designed for increased situational grasp and functional efficiency. Additionally, it has a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) providing a 3D view of terrain and probable obstacles for the pilot's efficient decision-making even in low-visibility conditions.

Qatar and American Airlines Use The Aircraft 

Some of the popular airlines that use the aircraft include Air India, Qatar Airways, American Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines.

Passenger Capacity And Comfort 

The model has some larger versions like the Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 and 787-10. However, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in the heart-wrenching incident earlier today, can seat 242 passengers in a two-class layout and can roughly cover 7,305 nautical miles (13,530 km).

For passenger comfort, the aircraft maintains a lower cabin altitude, which is equivalent to 6,000 feet, higher humidity levels, and improved air quality that reduces passenger weariness and discomfort.

Featuring electronic dimming controls that enhance views and reduce glare, it is fitted with the largest windows, compared to other commercial planes, and has adjustable lighting that comforts passengers and reduces jet lag. Refined noise-reducing technology contributes to a quieter cabin environment, improving overall passenger comfort.

Incident's Cause Unknown 

Though today's incident's cause is unknown earlier scrutiny of the model's manufacturing has been widely discussed, especially after Boeing engineer and whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, raised concerns about the 777 and 787 Dreamliner models.

Earlier this year too, media reports recorded hydraulic leaks and flap malfunctions, causing multiple flight cancellations in 25 days.

While fire teams respond swiftly the central government has promised support for the ongoing operations. Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are digging into the exact cause, as to why the flight crashed shortly after take-off.