Theories on fate of the craft

AVIATION experts have already come up with a number of theories over the loss of Air India flight 171.

- BY PHIL CARDY

Among them are faulty wing flaps, birds striking both engines, power loss and pilot error.

Investigators will study video of the crash, the plane's black boxes, cockpit conversations and technical data to understand why the crash occurred within minutes of take-off.

Aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas said the position of the wing flaps was unusual.

He said: "The plane simply sank, it didn't lurch from one side to the other, showing a possible mechanical problem.