The recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad, India, tragically resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives. Among the passengers, there was only one survivor, and the cause of this unfortunate incident is still unclear. Various aviation professionals have been putting forward their theories, and now, Ed Pierson, a former Boeing manager who became known as a whistleblower, has offered his perspective.
Pierson, in a conversation with NDTV, suggested that ‘chaotic and dangerous manufacturing’ practices at production facilities might have played a role.
Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787 8 Dreamliner, met its fate in a neighborhood shortly after taking off last week. The aircraft ended up in a dining area at BJ Medical College, herding medical students who were having their lunch.
Responsive to the aftermath, Air India released a statement on social media: “Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident post-takeoff. The flight took off at 1338 hrs carrying 242 passengers and team members aboard the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Among these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, a Canadian, and 7 Portuguese nationals. Those injured are being provided medical attention at the nearest hospitals. We have also established a passenger hotline, 1800 5691 444, to furnish further information. Air India is working closely with investigating authorities.”
Examining Theories Around the Air India Crash
In excess of 270 deceased have been located at the crash site. Investigators, including experts from India, the UK, and the US, are thoroughly examining the incident. The black box and cockpit voice recordings have been recovered. The initial focus of the investigation was on potential engine failure, as well as issues pertaining to wing flaps and landing gear.
There have been numerous speculations regarding the crash. For instance, Dr. Sonya Brown pointed to crash footage showing potential stalling of the aircraft. “It seems to indicate a significant loss in thrust. Thrust contributes to speed, and an aircraft’s lift depends on speed squared. Should there be a loss in thrust leading to lower speeds, the aircraft can stall,” she noted, also mentioning that the cause for the lack of thrust remains uncertain.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been under scrutiny for safety concerns over the years. Ed Pierson, during his time at Boeing, escalated safety alerts concerning the 787 model, even testifying before Congress in the United States back in 2019, specifically highlighting issues with the 787 Max variant.
Pierson’s Perspective on the Air India Incident
Pierson had expressed his concerns related to the working conditions, hinting at overtime pressures on staff and situations where parts were forced into place. These signals of serious safety warnings were rebuffed by Boeing.
In his interview with NDTV, Pierson described the flawed manufacturing operations that could possibly relate to the Air India disaster.
“It is within the realm of possibility,” Pierson indicated. “The issues he pointed out have been ongoing during the planes’ production phase. The discussions and testimonies preceded this specific catastrophe.”
Pierson elaborated, “There was a rush in production, pressure on employees, issues with parts, aircraft systems, functional systems testing, and notably, electrical system evaluations were problematic.”
Pierson emphasized, “The pressure was intense to complete production. Indications of chaotic and hazardous production practices were evident. Risks were taken unnecessarily. All these factors are worthy of deep investigation.”
Concerns Over Manufacturing Oversight
Currently, as an advocate with the Foundation of Aviation Safety, Pierson remarked, “Our foundation is closely observing manufacturing processes… not limited to the 787s but across various models… we’ve witnessed troubling patterns of unaddressed issues.”
He concluded by acknowledging the current lack of conclusive details regarding the air tragedy.
“Until we process the black box data, we can’t settle the cause of what happened to AI-171. Much information remains unknown,” stated Pierson.
Concluding his thoughts, Pierson recounted about a passenger who flew shortly before the crash, claiming non-functional systems onboard. “Referring to air-conditioning and other features, he noted that backups supposedly ensure function continuity at all times. This anomaly raises concern. Not implying definitive findings… but it merits detailed examination.”
Our thoughts and sympathy are with all victims and their families during this difficult time.
