A major aviation disaster struck India today as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft was carrying 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew members—when it went down in the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood, just minutes after departure12613.
Timeline and Details of the Crash
- Time and Location: The crash occurred around 1:38 p.m. local time, less than a minute after takeoff. Flight tracking data showed the last signal at an altitude of 625–825 feet, after which the aircraft descended rapidly and crashed outside the airport perimeter in a residential area125616.
- Immediate Aftermath: Eyewitnesses described hearing a massive sound, followed by a fireball and thick plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site. The aircraft struck the residential quarters of doctors at BJ Medical College, causing a massive explosion and fire due to the heavy fuel load for the international journey1114.
- Distress Call: The pilot issued a “Mayday” distress call before losing contact with air traffic control615.
Casualties and Rescue Operations
- Fatalities: Police and rescue officials have confirmed there are no survivors among the 242 onboard. Additional casualties were reported on the ground, with at least 75 bodies recovered from the residential building the plane hit, bringing the estimated death toll to over 3006916.
- Rescue Efforts: Emergency services, including fire brigades and ambulances, responded rapidly, but the intensity of the fire hampered rescue operations. Over two dozen ambulances and 90 emergency responders were deployed. Several injured individuals from the ground have been transported to nearby hospitals21214.
- Eyewitness Accounts: Locals described scenes of devastation, with debris and bodies scattered across the area. “When we went out to see what had happened, there was a layer of thick smoke in the air. Dead bodies and debris from the crashed aircraft were scattered all over,” one resident told the Press Trust of India11.
Passengers and Crew
- Nationalities: The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals. Fourteen children, including two infants, were among the passengers2613.
- Crew: The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran pilot with over 8,200 hours of experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours614.
Official Response
- Government and Airline: India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, expressed shock and is personally overseeing the response. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK authorities have also issued statements of condolence and support. Air India and Tata Group (the airline’s parent company) have activated emergency centers and hotlines for families1261316.
- Airport Status: Ahmedabad airport operations have been suspended until further notice15.
Investigation and Early Theories
- Initial Focus: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation, with Boeing expected to send technical experts. Early attention is on why the aircraft struggled to gain altitude immediately after takeoff, despite the Dreamliner’s strong safety record216.
- Aircraft History: This is the first recorded crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model widely used for long-haul international flights and considered highly reliable21516.
- International Assistance: The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have offered technical support for the investigation16.
Scene and Community Impact
- Crash Site: The plane crashed into a hostel for medical students, causing significant casualties among residents. The Meghani Nagar neighborhood is densely populated, compounding the tragedy214.
- Community Response: Local hospitals, including the nearby BJ Medical College, are treating the injured. Authorities have set up control rooms and helplines for information and support1214.
Global Reactions
- International Condolences: Leaders in India, the UK, and Portugal have expressed condolences. King Charles is receiving updates, and British officials are working with Indian authorities to support affected nationals16.
- Aviation Industry Shock: Aviation experts and industry executives are stunned, given the Dreamliner’s exemplary safety history. The incident is expected to prompt a thorough review of procedures and aircraft systems216.
Summary Table: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Flight | Air India AI171 (Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner) |
| Route | Ahmedabad, India → London Gatwick, UK |
| Time of Crash | ~1:38 p.m. local time, June 12, 2025 |
| People Onboard | 242 (230 passengers, 12 crew) |
| Nationalities | 169 Indian, 53 British, 1 Canadian, 7 Portuguese |
| Location of Crash | Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad (residential area) |
| Fatalities | All onboard presumed dead; over 300 including ground casualties |
| Cause | Under investigation; struggled to gain altitude after takeoff |
| Emergency Response | Extensive; airport closed, rescue ongoing, helplines activated |
Helpline Numbers
- Air India: 1800 5691 444
- Delhi Control Room: 011-24610843, 9650391859
- Ahmedabad Control Room: 9978405304, 079-2325190061214
This disaster is one of the deadliest in recent Indian aviation history. Investigators are focusing on technical and operational factors, with international support expected. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the global aviation community and left families and communities in mourning. Further updates will follow as authorities release more information and the investigation progresses12616.
