Congress pushes for Rahul to be Leader of Opposition; he requests time to think

In the wake of the recent Air India tragedy near Ahmedabad, I took time to revisit several historical aviation disasters, analyzing their causes, patterns, and overlooked warnings. One such deeply tragic incident occurred in July 1991, just 2.8 km from the runway of King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAAIA), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

This was the ill-fated Nigeria Airways Flight 2120, operated by Nationair Canada on behalf of Nigeria Airways. The aircraft, bound for Sokoto, Nigeria, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 261 people on board-one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Saudi history.

What Went Wrong?

Following a joint investigation by Saudi and Canadian authorities, the findings were both shocking and sobering:

    •    The crash was not due to pilot error, nor external attack, nor bad weather.

    •    The root cause was under-inflated landing gear tires, which overheated during takeoff roll.

    •    The lead mechanic had identified low tire pressure four days before the crash, but no pressure gauge check was done afterward.

    •    Despite the plane being unfit for flight, it was signed off as airworthy and allowed to depart.

As the aircraft accelerated for takeoff, the overheated tires caught fire, which spread rapidly into the fuselage. The resulting hydraulic failure, cabin floor burn-through, and loss of control left the crew powerless. The aircraft crashed in flames, within minutes of takeoff-a preventable disaster caused by overlooked maintenance and human complacency.

Global Insights into Flight Crash Causes

Upon a thorough analysis, it’s observed that some of the most common reasons behind flight crashes worldwide, based on aviation history & investigations are: 

    1.    Pilot Error / Human Factors

Mistakes in judgment, communication, or control — especially during critical flight phases.

    2.    Mechanical Failure

Engine or system malfunctions due to defect or missed maintenance.

    3.    Adverse Weather

Storms, wind shear, fog, and other conditions impairing visibility and aircraft performance.

    4.    Bird Strikes / Foreign Object Debris (FOD)

Especially dangerous during takeoff and landing, leading to engine damage.

    5.    Airspace Mismanagement / ATC Miscommunication

    6.    Fuel Issues

Including fuel starvation, mismanagement, or contamination.

    7.    Acts of Sabotage / Terrorism / Hijacking

    8.    Cargo Fires & Flammable Materials

Fire originating in the cargo compartment from batteries, chemicals, or other hazardous goods.

    9.    Runway Excursions / Hard Landings

Overshooting or veering off the runway due to high speed, wet surface, or misjudged descent.

    10.    Negligent Maintenance

As seen in the Jeddah crash — where skipping standard checks led to total catastrophe.

Most air crashes are preventable.

All it takes is strict adherence to maintenance standards, timely inspections, better crew training, transparent reporting systems, and a culture that never rushes at the cost of safety.

It’s not just about flying high — it’s about staying grounded in discipline and accountability. 

A Deeper look into the Ahmedabad AI crash:

Having carefully reviewed the tragic crash of the Air India Express flight near Ahmedabad, one thing becomes clear from the available video footage-bird strike or FOD appears highly unlikely in this case.

When bird strike is ruled out, technical failure, improper dispatch, or overlooked preflight checks become strong areas of suspicion including under-inflated tires. 

Let’s hope the final investigation speaks honestly — not just to assign blame, but to prevent future tragedies.

Disclaimer: This article is written-by Adv. P.A.Hameed-in the capacity of a concerned legal professional and public interest observer, not as an aviation expert. The insights shared are based on publicly available information, historical investigation findings, and visual observations. The purpose is to raise awareness about aviation safety and the importance of preventive measures. Final conclusions regarding any specific incident should be left to official investigative authorities. 

The Ahmedabad AI Flight Crash involving a state-of-the-art Boeing Dreamliner 787-8-a relatively new and technologically advanced aircraft — has once again raised serious concerns about aviation safety, particularly on routes between India and Gulf countries.

While the Dreamliner incident was unexpected, what worries expatriates even more is the routine operation of aging aircraft on Gulf sectors by Indian carriers, especially Air India Express. Many of these planes are reportedly plagued by frequent technical glitches, leading to prolonged delays-often exceeding 24 hours -leaving passengers stranded in foreign airports without proper accommodation, food or timely updates. 

The lack of adequate crisis management has repeatedly resulted in distressing chaos and mental agony for passengers.

Several such incidents have been reported recently, including:

* Air India Express flights from Dammam to Mangaluru,
* Dammam to Bengaluru,
* Dammam to Delhi
* ⁠Riyadh to Mumbai
* ⁠Abudhabi to Mangaluru, and so on. 

These incidents have not only caused widespread inconvenience but also raised serious questions about the airline’s preparedness and accountability.

Taking note of the mounting distress, Riyadh-based social worker and pro-bono lawyer, P.A. Hameed Padubidri, stepped forward to represent affected passengers. In a significant move, a legal notice was served recently by a Saudi lady lawyer, Adv. Faten Al-Ahmari, based on complaints submitted by Hameed Padubidri. The notice addresses the recurring delays, technical shortcomings, and inadequate support mechanisms of Air India Express. 

Hameed Padubidri has also escalated the matter to the Indian Union Minister for Civil Aviation and other concerned authorities.

Given the gravity of the situation, NRIs across the Gulf — especially in Saudi Arabia-are strongly urging the Indian government and airline authorities to end the outdated aircraft operations-especially AirIndia Express-on Gulf routes. They emphasize that passenger safety must take precedence over operational convenience or cost-cutting.

The lives of the NRIs-residing in various gulf countries & Middle East-should not be compromised by the operation of aging, outdated and under-maintained aircraft. 

It is high time that the authorities take this matter seriously and implement systemic reforms to ensure safer, more reliable air travel for the millions of Indian expatriates who continue to contribute significantly to both Indian and Gulf economies.

Hameed Padubidri says: “Every time Air India Express delays in Saudi Arabia, the airline cites technical glitches. Passengers are often boarded, made to sit for hours — sometimes without air conditioning — and then asked to deboard. This causes severe distress.”

“There were even cases where the aircraft taxied on the runway, only to return and park again. This clearly reflects poor aircraft performance and mismanagement.

The aviation authorities and Government of India must urgently act — replace aging aircraft and ensure safer, more reliable service.”

Israeli forces have attacked a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza as the vessel approached the coastal waters of the besieged Palestinian territory.

Thiago Avila, a Brazilian activist on board the Madleen ship, said in a social media post on Monday morning that they were surrounded by Israeli army ships.

He added that the regime’s forces have attacked Madleen, a humanitarian aid vessel that was attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza.

"Connection has been lost on the 'Madleen'. The Israeli army has boarded the vessel," the Freedom Flotilla Coalition posted on Telegram, adding that Israeli forces kidnapped the passengers.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among 12 international campaigners aboard the Madleen. “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament of Palestinian descent, are also onboard the vessel.

Rima Hassan broadcast images of the sirens sounding on the ship.

Mahmud Abu-Odeh, a Germany-based press officer with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, told AFP that "the activists seemed to be arrested."

According to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Palestine, five Israeli speedboats have reached the Madleen ship.

Francesca Albanese said the Madeleine crew has informed Israeli forces that they are carrying humanitarian aid and that they will leave safely.

“I heard the soldiers speaking while the captain was on the phone with me,” Albanese said.

“I lost connection with the captain as he was telling me that ‘another boat is approaching’.”

The new development came after Hamas warned the Israeli regime against taking any measure to stop the Madleen ship, holding the regime fully responsible for the lives of activists aboard it.

Earlier, the Israeli minister of military affairs, Israel Katz, threatened to block the aid ship from reaching Gaza, accusing Thunberg and fellow activists of being “Hamas propagandists.”

He had instructed the regime’s forces to take action "by land, sea, and air" to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza.

 Blatant act of piracy

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Israel's seizure of the Freedom Flotilla ship and its crew.

“We strongly condemn the cowardly and illegal Israeli attack on the Madleen’s as it approached Gaza with desperately needed humanitarian supplies,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad.

“This is a blatant act of international piracy and state terrorism,” he said.

“The Israeli occupation has no legal right to blockade the Gaza coast, much less to drop chemical weapons on humanitarian aid boats and abduct their passengers in international waters,” Awad added.

Awad called on the Israeli regime to immediately release the ship’s crew.

“We applaud Greta Thunberg and the other activists of the Madleen who bravely risked their safety and freedom to help the starving people of Gaza,” he said.

The Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail from Sicily last week carrying urgent humanitarian supplies for Gaza, including baby formula, flour, rice, desalination kits, medical aid, and children’s prosthetics.

Israeli drones hit a vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Conscience, in international waters off the coast of Malta on May 2.

The group condemned the attack at the time, calling it a clear “violation of international law.”

UN agencies and major aid groups have warned that Gaza is at risk of famine if more aid is not brought in. They say Israeli restrictions, the breakdown of law and order, and widespread looting make it extremely difficult to deliver aid to Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians.