One theory is that the landing gear got stuck and that the pilots partially retracted the flaps to reduce drag in an attempt to keep climbing. However, if overdone, this could cause the plane to lose lift. Another possible cause being considered by investigators is fuel contamination, which can cause a double engine failure.

The tragic crash of Air India’s AI171 on June 12, which claimed 270 lives in one of the worst airline disasters in recent years, has triggered a crisis of confidence in Indian aviation.