Air India plane crash: Landing gear lever was in ‘down’ position | What does it mean and why it matter?

Almost a month after the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released its preliminary report, revealing critical cockpit voice recordings and technical findings. One notable detail from the report is a photograph taken after the crash showing the aircraft’s landing gear lever in the “DOWN” position. This has sparked curiosity and concern about the implications of this setting at the time of the crash.