Air India crash; Captain Steve Chen Shares Theory on Deadly Boeing 787 Disaster

June 14, 2025 – A veteran pilot and popular aviation YouTuber, Captain Steve Chen, has revealed his personal theory about the tragic Air India crash that claimed 279 lives, including 52 British nationals. The incident involved a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that plunged into a building just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport.

Tragic Crash Moments After Takeoff

The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, took off but appeared to lose altitude within 40 seconds, ultimately crashing into a nearby doctors’ hostel in a fireball. A total of 241 passengers and crew were killed, along with 28 people on the ground. Only one person survived the horrifying disaster — Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A.

Captain Steve’s Flap Retraction Theory

After reviewing the video footage, Captain Steve Chen suggested that a simple cockpit error could have led to the tragedy. In his analysis, he speculates that the co-pilot may have mistakenly retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear, causing the aircraft to lose lift during its initial climb.

“The pilot likely called for ‘gear up,’ and the co-pilot may have pulled the wrong lever — raising the flaps instead of the landing gear,” Steve explained in his YouTube video.

This error would severely reduce lift, which might explain why the Dreamliner never gained proper altitude. Steve noted the lack of wing flexing, which normally indicates strong lift forces during takeoff.

Survivor’s Account Supports Power Failure Theory

Sole survivor Vishwash Ramesh described eerie signs before the crash. He said the cabin lights began flickering just seconds after liftoff and felt like the aircraft was “stuck in the air” before it glided downwards and exploded.

“The lights flickered green and white. It felt like the plane wasn’t climbing. Then it suddenly crashed,” Vishwash said.

Another passenger who flew on the same aircraft a day earlier reported issues with the in-flight screens and electrical systems, prompting concerns that an electrical failure could have contributed to the accident.

Experienced Crew Among the Dead

The pilots onboard were Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who had 8,200 flight hours, and co-pilot Clive Kunder, with 1,100 hours of experience. Both tragically died in the crash.

Ongoing Investigation and Black Box Recovery

Authorities have recovered at least one of the black boxes from the wreckage and are analyzing data to determine the exact cause. Possible theories under review include:

• Pilot error

• Flap or landing gear malfunction

• Engine thrust issues

• Bird strike

• Electrical or power failure

Aviation Community Demands Answers

Aviation experts and grieving families are demanding a thorough investigation. Captain Steve’s theory, though unofficial, adds to a growing list of concerns about cockpit safety procedures and aircraft system design.

As crews continue to clear the wreckage, questions remain about whether better training, cockpit design, or maintenance could have prevented one of the worst aviation disasters in recent Indian history.