Likely pilot error blamed for fatal Air India plane crash

According to a retired pilot, Matthew Buckley, who has extensive experience in aviation, including as a fighter pilot and for commercial airlines, it appears that the Air India passenger plane that tragically crashed in Ahmedabad may have had incorrect or improperly positioned flaps on its wings during takeoff. Buckley mentioned that based on the visuals of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner before the accident, it seemed like the flaps were not down or not set correctly for takeoff. While emphasizing that these are early observations and not conclusive findings, Buckley highlighted that the advanced technology in the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner should have alerted the pilot to such issues. Additionally, Buckley noted that the landing gear appeared to still be down based on video footage. This crash, the first involving this model since its introduction in 2009, is currently under investigation, with only one survivor reported. According to Buckley, the combination of a heavy plane with full fuel, high temperatures, and potentially incorrect flap settings could have caused the aircraft to struggle to gain altitude and ultimately crash shortly after taking off. Critically, he also pointed out that advancements in aircraft technology, while aiming to enhance safety, could inadvertently reduce the frequency at which pilots practice certain critical skills, potentially leading to more errors in flight operations.