Gaurav Taneja, also known as Flying Beast, recreates Air India Flight 171 crash and freezes

YouTuber Gaurav Taneja, popularly known as Flying Beast, recently released a video on his YouTube channel, where he discussed the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad. With almost 10 million subscribers, Taneja explored different theories surrounding the crash, ultimately suggesting that overloading and pilot errors may have played a significant role in the accident.

Initially, Taneja considered the possibility of a dual-engine failure as the primary cause of the crash. However, after conducting simulations, he revised his hypothesis, pointing towards a combination of pilot error and other factors. During one simulation, Taneja deliberately overloaded the aircraft, and upon experiencing a dual engine failure, he described feeling paralyzed and helpless. This led him to speculate that the pilot might have been overwhelmed in a real-life scenario.

Observing the video footage of the crash, Taneja noted that the aircraft’s nose appeared to tilt upwards just before impact, indicating a desperate attempt by the pilot to mitigate the severity of the crash. In a subsequent simulation with an even heavier aircraft, Taneja discovered that a late liftoff could have distracted the pilots, preventing them from retracting the landing gear, similar to what may have occurred with Flight 171.

Furthermore, Taneja suggested that the pilots might have been caught off guard by the sudden engine failure during takeoff, leaving them with limited options as they had already passed the point of no return on the runway. This led to a cascading series of errors, including inadvertently shutting down the second engine and failing to retract the landing gear.

In his analysis, Taneja emphasized the importance of proper protocol during emergencies, highlighting the critical steps that pilots should follow in the event of an engine failure. He also defended the pilots against hasty criticism, acknowledging the challenging circumstances they faced and the rare occurrence of both engines failing simultaneously on a Boeing 787.

Following the Flight 171 disaster, Taneja commended pilots for prioritizing safety and refusing to operate potentially unsafe aircraft. In response to the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took action against three senior Air India officials for alleged violations, underscoring the serious nature of the incident.

As investigations continue into the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash, Taneja’s analysis sheds light on the complexities of aviation safety and the crucial role of proper decision-making under stressful circumstances. His simulations and insights offer valuable perspectives on the potential factors contributing to the accident, highlighting the importance of thorough training and adherence to safety protocols in the aviation industry.