Double engine failure or human error? Pilots explain likely causes

Double engine failure or human error? Pilots explain likely causes 

FROM THE COCKPIT Subhro.Niyogi@timesofindia.com  15.06.2025

Kolkata : Experienced pilots, awaiting investigation results of the Air India Dreamliner crash, suggest two possible causes: an extremely rare simultaneous engine failure or incorrect cockpit response during an emergency, after eliminating other scenarios. “What is clear from visuals of the crash, especially the airport CCTV footage, is the aircraft took off normally before experiencing a loss of lift, possibly due to loss of thrust on both engines. 

This can happen only if both engines stall,” said an Air India captain, adding the sound of the plane from an amateur video suggested the whine of a Ram Air Turbine, a backup power source that is deployed automatically in the B-787 aircraft when it detects loss of both engines. The captain explained that the B-787’s sophisticated systems made engine stalling due to electrical or software issues unlikely, given its multiple backup systems. Fuel contamination is unlikely during take-off when fuel flow is maximum. 

An IndiGo veteran dismissed incorrect flap and slat deployment or landing gear retraction issues as causes. “Any of this would have caused a drag, but not caused the aircraft to fall off the sky. In any case, there will be alerts if there is an incorrect setting for pilots to take corrective measures,” the pilot said. 

A retired AI pilot dismissed bird strikes as a cause, noting no visible large bird flocks or smoke trail in CCTV footage. Dismissing sabotage theories, pilots proposed a scenario, where one engine’s failure during take-off led to incorrect cockpit actions, resulting in thrust loss in both engines. 

“A pilot of an IndiGo flight, which was next to the Ahmedabad runway, reported a loud bang to ATC around V1. The V1 is the take-off decision speed after which a pilot can no longer stop the aircraft but must continue with take-off. A compressor stall could have taken out one engine. After take-off, the plane climbed on the second engine. The pilot usually then reports the engine loss to ATC, turns around and lands. 

From the visuals, we know the plane encountered a sudden loss of lift during initial climb-out and then started to descend rapidly. This could have been due to the thrust lever of the live engine being pulled back that left the plane without any thrust,” the pilot reasoned, adding this mistake is not uncommon during simulator training.

Another pilot explained engine failure procedures during take-off required pilots to take action to secure the failed engine from further damage. If thrust is pulled back from the live engine, the plane will stall. Quick thrust restoration attempts might be manageable at higher altitudes but could be fatal at 600ft-800ft.