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What Really Causes Dual Engine Failure? | Air India 171 Update

# 🛫 Air India 171 Incident Update: Exploring Possible Causes ## 📋 Key Facts Established - The aircraft **achieved lift and became airborne** with engines apparently producing full or near-full thrust - Shortly after takeoff, the wings **lost lift** within seconds - The **RAT (Ram Air Turbine)** deployed - confirmed by: * Visual evidence (photo showing deployed RAT) * Audio recording (distinctive high-pitched propeller sound) * Survivor testimony (reported hearing a loud bang and lights flickering) * Captain's mayday call stating "thrust was not achieved" - The landing gear **remained down** throughout the brief flight - Weather conditions were **extremely hot** (approximately 43°C/110°F) ## 🔍 Possible Causes Being Explored ### 1️⃣ Dual Engine Failure Captain Steve believes this is the most likely scenario, though statistically extremely rare ("100 billion to one"). Engines need two things to function: - Constant flow of air - Steady supply of liquid fuel ### 2️⃣ Air-Related Failures - **Compressor stall**: Could interrupt airflow but typically doesn't cause complete engine failure * Usually produces distinctive banging sounds and visible flames * No evidence of these symptoms was reported ### 3️⃣ Fuel-Related Failures Three potential ways engines could be starved of fuel: - **Manual shutdown**: Captain dismisses this as highly implausible (placed in "dust bin of history") - **Fuel contamination**: Possible but many safeguards exist * Modern fueling systems have sophisticated contamination detection * Would likely have shown symptoms earlier during taxi or takeoff roll - **Vapor lock**: The theory many pilots have asked Captain Steve to discuss * Occurs when liquid fuel turns to vapor in fuel lines * More likely in hot weather (which matches the conditions) * Can prevent fuel pumps from delivering liquid fuel to engines * Contributing factors present: - Extremely high ambient temperature (43°C) - Hot runway surface - Engine heat - Potential quick turnaround flight ## 🧠 Captain Steve's Analysis - He's not definitively stating which cause is most likely but presents these as possibilities - Encourages viewers to decide whether each theory deserves a "big P" (highly probable) or "small P" (less probable) - Emphasizes that flying remains extremely safe despite this tragic incident - Awaits preliminary findings that might provide more clarity ## ✈️ Final Thoughts Captain Steve stresses that this incident was an extraordinarily rare combination of factors and that commercial aviation remains incredibly safe. He invites respectful discussion in the comments and promises further updates as more information becomes available.