Fact Check: "Footage appeared to show the 787’s landing gear apparently unretracted and the wing flaps in an unusual position for takeoff."
What We Know
Recent reports have emerged following the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A widely circulated video showed the aircraft descending with its nose pointed upward, a position described as unusual for a plane that should be climbing (New York Times). Aviation experts, including John Cox, a former airline pilot, noted that the landing gear appeared to be down and the wing flaps were not in the typical position expected during takeoff (New York Times).
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities examining various factors that could have contributed to the incident, including potential engine failure or improper aircraft configuration (The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that the footage shows the Boeing 787's landing gear unretracted and the wing flaps in an unusual position for takeoff is supported by multiple sources. The New York Times reported that the landing gear was still down and that the flaps appeared to be in a relatively up position, which is atypical for takeoff configurations (New York Times). This observation aligns with the insights from aviation experts who emphasize that proper flap deployment is critical for safe takeoff and climb (New York Times).
Furthermore, the report from The Guardian corroborates these findings, stating that the landing gear was apparently unretracted and the wing flaps were not in the expected configuration for takeoff (The Guardian). This suggests a potential failure in the pre-takeoff procedures or an emergency situation that may have prevented the pilots from retracting the landing gear and deploying the flaps correctly.
Both sources are credible, with The New York Times being a reputable news outlet known for its thorough reporting, and The Guardian also maintaining a strong reputation in journalism. The insights provided by aviation experts add further reliability to the claims made in these reports.
Conclusion
The evidence supports the claim that footage from the Air India crash shows the Boeing 787's landing gear apparently unretracted and the wing flaps in an unusual position for takeoff. Both the New York Times and The Guardian provide corroborating accounts from aviation experts, indicating that these observations are consistent with what is typically expected during a safe aircraft takeoff. Therefore, the verdict is True.
