The crashed Dreamliner had a sterling safety record until this incident, making it the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011. Investigators and aviation experts are focusing on possible issues including incorrect deployment or retraction of wing flaps and landing gear, a sudden loss of engine thrust, and the aircraft’s performance in unusually high-temperature conditions (about 40 °C).
A notable theory highlights pilot configuration error: videos reportedly showed the aircraft either climbing without expected wing-bending or failing to retract gear/flaps properly. Captain Steve, a pilot and aviation expert, suggested that the first officer might have retracted flaps prematurely instead of raising the landing gear—leading to an aerodynamic stall. Aviation consultant Keith Tonkin emphasized how rapidly events unfolded, making mechanical failure seem less likely than procedural missteps.
Eyewitness and expert analysis also ruled out bird strike, fuel contamination, or sabotage, instead pointing to a rare dual-engine failure or pilot error under emergency conditions. Investigators have recovered at least the flight data recorder, and efforts continue to locate the cockpit voice recorder—a vital step to determine whether human factors contributed to the tragedy or if technical faults were at play.
Adding a deeply personal dimension, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal—one of the most experienced pilots in the cockpit—was praised for his professionalism, composure, and role in training co-pilots. He had logged over 8,200 hours on wide-body jets like the 787 and was nearing retirement. His peer, Manmath Routray, described him as “highly skilled,” expressing hope that objective data, not speculation, would explain the unusual tail-first crash pattern.
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While the Dreamliner had an impeccable safety profile, the combination of unusual flight behavior and a flawless machine suggests that crew configuration during a critical phase—such as flap or gear settings—could be a central factor. The presence of seasoned pilots like Captain Sabharwal heightens the mystery, reinforcing the importance of black box data in revealing factual causes rather than relying on conjecture.
