What Really Causes Dual Engine Failure? | Air India 171 Update
Description
We're back with another update on Air India 171. In this video, Captain Steeeve dives into what could cause a dual engine failure on final approach — a terrifying and rare event. The most likely culprits? Fuel contamination or vapor lock. Captain Steeeve breaks down how each scenario might play out, what warning signs crews might face, and what training prepares pilots to handle this kind of emergency. Whether you're an avgeek, a pilot in training, or just trying to understand the truth behind the headlines — this is one you don’t want to miss. ✈️ Got a question for a future video? Drop it in the comments with #askthecaptain 📺 Subscribe so you don’t miss future updates, analyses, and stories from the sky. Sources for Vapor Lock: https://www.pilotmall.com/blogs/news/engine-vapor-lock-symptoms-prevention Check out @Garybpilot For business inquiries email us at: captainsteeeve@wearebv.com For press or general questions: peter@541co.com Disclaimer: Captain Steeeve is not a spokesperson for any airline or aviation authority. The opinions expressed in this video are solely his own and are based on his experience as a professional pilot. This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as an official statement from any airline, regulatory agency, or aviation organization. Want to know what watch I'm wearing? If you are from the US, visit Watchbuys.com and go to the PRIMUS collection under Hanhart. For everyone else, visit https://www.hanhart.com/en/. #captainsteeeve #airindia171 #DualEngineFailure #aviationnews #pilotbreakdown #flightanalysis #FuelContamination #VaporLock #AvGeek #flightsafety #aircrashinvestigation #askthecaptain #flysafe
🛫 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.