Unusual flight malfunctions captured in viral video before tragic Air India crash

A troubling video has emerged depicting significant technical issues aboard an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner shortly before it tragically crashed, resulting in the loss of 241 lives. Shared by passenger Akash Vatsa, the footage shows air conditioning that didn't work, malfunctioning seat-back entertainment screens, and a broken crew call button. Vatsa reported traveling on the same plane just before the crash, from New Delhi to Ahmedabad, and recorded the videos with the intention of informing Air India about the problems. The aircraft met with disaster during its departure to London's Gatwick Airport, with witnesses capturing smoke or dust emanating from the plane upon takeoff, followed by a massive explosion. The distressing revelation emerged that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal issued a frantic mayday call right before the crash, stating, "Mayday... no thrust, losing power, unable to lift," merely 11 seconds after the plane had ascended. Despite the crew's efforts, the plane failed to gain adequate altitude and collided with a doctor's accommodation, igniting into flames. The crash has prompted an urgent investigation by Indian authorities, in collaboration with the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the US's National Transportation Safety Board. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is spearheading the inquiry into the tragic incident. Noteworthy is the observation by experts that the plane's landing gear remained extended during the crash, a deviation from the norm for a departing aircraft. Aerospace safety expert Anthony Brickhouse pointed out that this anomaly may hint at a technical malfunction. Air India has yet to make a statement regarding the incident or the reported technical issues. The exact cause of the crash remains unconfirmed, although suspicions lean towards a technical problem. The airline has pledged full cooperation with the investigation and assured to release updates as more details surface. This tragedy has raised serious apprehensions about the airline's maintenance practices and safety standards, particularly given the sophisticated technology of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It is noteworthy that this incident marks the first fatal crash involving this aircraft model, previously renowned as one of the safest and most advanced in commercial aviation. As inquiries into the crash unfold, the aviation industry and the public eagerly anticipate clarifications on the chain of events that transpired during that ill-fated flight.