Why in News?

An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff, with 242 people on board. The crash occurred in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area near Ahmedabad airport, sending thick black smoke into the sky.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known. Most aviation accidents typically happen during takeoff or landing phases.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Boeing 787 Dreamliner
• Why Most Plane Crashes Occur During Takeoff and Landing

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

• Boeing introduced the 787 in 2007 as a next-generation, long-haul jet, building on the success of its 777 predecessor to offer a more fuel-efficient variant.
• The first commercial Boeing 787 took flight in 2012. The aircraft involved in recent crash entered Air India’s fleet in 2014.
• The crash intensifies scrutiny on Boeing, which has faced global criticism since the two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.
• Features of Boeing 787
  • 
  • Structure: Made from carbon fibre composite, lighter than traditional aluminium bodies.
  • Fuel Efficiency: Consumes 25% less fuel than older models.
  • Comfort: Spacious cabins, large windows, improved cabin pressure and humidity.
  • Variants: 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10.
• Safety Concerns and Investigations
  • US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Scrutiny: Multiple investigations into Boeing 787 production practices.
  • Whistleblower Allegations
    • Sam Salehpour (2024): Claimed fuselage sections were improperly fastened, posing long-term safety risks.
    • John Barnett (2019): Accused Boeing of using substandard parts; found dead in 2024 under suspicious circumstances.
  • Incidents:
    • 2013: Global grounding due to lithium-ion battery fires.
    • 2024: Latam Airlines 787 plunged mid-flight due to human error.

Why Most Plane Crashes Occur During Takeoff and Landing

• Data has shown that most crashes take place during landing, takeoff, or the phases immediately before/after these two events.
• Statistics
  • As per the IATA Data (2005–2023):
    • Landing phase: 53% of all accidents
    • Takeoff phase: 8.5%
    • Approach (before landing): 8.5%
    • Initial climb (after takeoff): 6.1%
    • Rejected takeoffs: 1.8%
  • Boeing Data (2015–2024):
    • Takeoff + initial climb: 20% of fatal accidents & fatalities, despite only 2% exposure
    • Climb phase: 10% of fatal accidents, 35% of fatalities
    • Final approach + landing: 47% of accidents, 37% of fatalities
    • Cruise phase: Only 10% of fatal accidents, <0.5% of fatalities, despite 57% exposure
• Takeoff and Landing Are the Riskiest Phases
  • Low and Slow Factor
    • Aircraft fly at low altitude and speed during these phases, leaving little time for corrective action.
    • At cruising altitude, even with engine failure, planes can glide for minutes. On the ground or just after takeoff, pilots have seconds.
  • Increased Stress on Engines
    • Engines work hardest during takeoff, increasing the likelihood of failure.
  • Pilot Workload
    • Landings are technically demanding, involving complex real-time decisions based on aircraft weight, wind, and speed.
  • Stall Risk
    • Wing stalls are more likely during takeoff due to excessive nose-up angles, leading to lift loss.
      • A wing stall occurs when an aircraft's wing suddenly loses lift, which is the force that keeps it flying.
      • This happens when the angle of attack — the angle between the wing and the oncoming air — becomes too steep.
      • When a pilot pulls the aircraft's nose up too sharply (like during a steep takeoff), the angle of attack increases.
      • If this angle becomes too large (usually more than 15–20 degrees), the airflow over the wing becomes turbulent and detaches.
      • As a result, lift drops suddenly, and the plane can lose altitude or even fall.
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Bird strikes, turbulence, and adverse weather are more common at low altitudes.
• Flying Is Still the Safest Mode of Transport
  • ICAO Data: Accidents per million departures dropped from 4.9 (2005) to 1.9 (2023).
  • Fatalities Declining: Fatal accident numbers fluctuate annually but trend downward due to safer aircraft, better-trained pilots, and advanced simulators.
  • Improved Safety Protocols: Modern aviation benefits from better materials, engineering, weather forecasting, and strict safety regulations.