241 on board Air India London flight dead: Why plane crashes often happen during takeoff?

Remains of an Air India plane that crashed moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport.

An Air India plane, carrying 241 passengers and crew members, crashed shortly after taking from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday. Of the 242 people on-board, including 12 crew members and pilots, 241 were killed and one passenger survived miraculously in one of the worst plane crashes in recent history.

The aircraft, carrying 242 people, including 169 Indians and 61 foreign passengers, was en route to London Gatwick when it crashed just minutes after takeoff. The plane crashed into a hostel building, followed by a fiery explosion at 1:38 PM.

"Initial ADS-B data from flight #AI171 shows that the aircraft reached a maximum barometric altitude of 625 feet (airport elevation approx. 200 feet), and then it started to descend with a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute," flight-tracking service Flightradar24 posted.

The incident adds to the list of plane crashes that occurred shortly after takeoff, which is one of the most crucial and riskiest parts of any flight. International aviation data reveals that nearly 35 per cent of plane accidents occur during this brief but intense period.

Why is takeoff risky?

Unlike cruising, takeoff requires maximum engine power, flawless system performance, and split-second decisions from the crew.

When an aircraft starts on the runway, it accelerates with engines running at full power. Since engines are ender extreme stress, even a bird strike, fuel issue or a mechanical fault can lead to a critical failure. Moreover, pilots have limited options to recover at low altitudes, as in the case of Air India flight.

Another possible reason can be human error, which is in fact the leading cause of takeoff crashes. Misjudging speed, rotation point, or pitch angle can lead to disaster. According to ICAO estimates, 65 per cent of such crashes are due to pilot mistakes.

Hidden faults in key systems such as hydraulics or airspeed sensors can also lead to unfortunate events during takeoff. Strong winds, poor visibility, or microbursts (sudden downward gusts) can destabilise the aircraft at the worst moment.

The takeoff sequence

· The aircraft accelerates down the runway.

· If there is any issue before V1 (the decision speed), the pilot may abort takeoff or retry.

· After V1, the aircraft must take off, even if something goes wrong.

· The pilot’s decision-making in this brief period is critical.

What makes pilot’s role crucial?

There’s no autopilot during takeoff, so every second matters. Pilots carefully plan ahead, checking the weather, aircraft weight, and runway length. As the plane accelerates, it is their responsibility to closely monitor engine performance, speed, and surroundings. If something goes wrong, they’re trained to react within seconds to ensure safety of passengers and crew.

What the data says?

Data from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) shows that most takeoff crashes - about 65% - are caused by human error. Technical faults account for 20%, weather conditions for 10%, and the remaining 5% are due to other factors like runway obstructions.