Some aviation observers have raised alarming concerns that both engines of the Air India aircraft that crashed in Ahmedabad were not operational at the time of takeoff, with the plane reportedly descending rapidly as if it had seized mid-air. While preliminary findings suggest engine failure as the likely cause, experts have not dismissed the possibility of sabotage.
The tragedy comes in the wake of Jamaat-e-Islami’s nationwide campaign against the Tata Group over its alleged stance on the Palestine issue, and amid heightened national alert following Operation Sindoor. The timing of the incident has further intensified suspicions, leading to growing speculation that the crash may not have been accidental.
Despite official announcements and the dispatch of investigation teams to Ahmedabad, the exact details behind the crash remain under scrutiny. The fact that the disaster occurred in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state, has only added fuel to the conspiracy theories.
Aviation experts point out that modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in this crash, are capable of flying considerable distances even if both engines fail. Furthermore, as the aircraft had just taken off, it was fully loaded with fuel, a factor that could explain the massive explosion upon impact.
Reports in the media showed the aircraft descending slowly instead of gaining altitude, lending credence to the theory that it experienced a critical systems failure. The plane ultimately crashed into the UG Hostel Mess building of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad.
Captain Sumit Sabbarbal, a seasoned pilot with over 8,200 flight hours, issued a distress call to Air Traffic Control moments before the crash. He relayed the emergency message, “May Day, May Day,” indicating severe technical trouble. ATC personnel attempted to re-establish contact, but received no further response before the fatal crash occurred.
The Air India flight was en route from Ahmedabad to London and carried 242 people on board, 232 passengers and 10 crew members. Of these, 133 passengers have been confirmed dead. The aircraft went down approximately 15 kilometres from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, crashing at 1:07 pm in the Dharpur locality near Meghani Nagar.
Eyewitnesses report that smoke continued to rise from the wreckage hours after the crash. Among the passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, while the rest included 53 Britons, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese citizens. Rescue operations by fire and emergency services are still ongoing at the crash site.
