Air India Flight AI171 Crash: A Tragic Disaster Over Ahmedabad

In a truly tragic turn of fate, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner destined for London Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The horrific accident has claimed over 240 lives, making it one of the largest aviation disasters in India in recent years – and the first fatal crash of a Dreamliner aircraft. While this tragedy shook the nation, it also joins a long list of catastrophic events, much like those featured in our top 10 deadliest natural disasters blog.

What Happened?

Flight AI171 was scheduled to leave at 1:39 PM local time, and 242 people were onboard, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The aircraft made a Mayday distress call less than one minute after takeoff. Shortly thereafter, it crashed into a residential structure, specifically a doctor’s hostel at BJ Medical College, causing a large explosion and fire that destroyed both the aircraft and the building.

The accident occurred in Meghani nagar, a populated area near the airport. At least some of the individuals who were inside the building were having lunch, making the deaths and injuries more serious.

Key Details of the Crash

• Flight Number: AI171
• Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• Route: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
• Time of Crash: Around 1:40 PM IST
• Total On Board: 242 (230 passengers + 2 pilots + 10 cabin crew)
• Nationalities: 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian
• Survivors: 1 confirmed
• Fatalities: Over 240 (includes passengers and people on the ground)

The Story of the Sole Survivor

A single individual totally survived the crash: Ramesh Viswash kumar was a British citizen of Indian descent sitting in 11A next to an emergency exit. He recounted his harrowing account from his hospital bed:

"About thirty seconds into the flight, there was a loud bang; then I saw bodies around me. I got up and ran; someone pulled me into an ambulance."

Ramesh further noted that he cannot find his brother, who was travelling with him at the time.

Eyewitness Accounts from the Ground

The debris from the aircraft spread through the residential quarters of the medical college. People nearby reported hearing an explosion, and a large fireball followed. Smoke billowed, and first responders rushed in, causing a flurry of activity.

One person's friend was a medical student in the hostel, and the woman said her son survived only by jumping from the second floor of the hostel. Many other people were not so lucky.

Potential Cause: Engine Failure or Mechanical Failure?

Although the official determination of the cause of the crash is still pending, there are several obvious red flags added by aviation specialists:

• The landing gears were still down when the airplane was airborne, which is uncommon and adds drag to the aircraft's aerodynamics.
• Experts think there may have been a dual engine failure, ranging from bird strikes or fuel contamination.
• The combination of low thrust and slow climb rate appears to go straight into a stall, emphasizing a crash before altitude is attained.

By air safety experts:
"The plume of dust and altitude are strong indicators of loss of power. A dual-engine flame-out is a possibility."

Expeditious Emergency Response

Local police, firefighters, and ambulances arrived within minutes following the crash. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed six teams to assist with search and rescue. Airport authorities temporarily cancelled flights, and Vande Bharat trains were arranged to assist stranded passengers.

Due to the severity of burns and fragmentation of bodies, kin of the deceased have been requested to provide DNA samples for identification purposes.

Government and International Reaction

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is from Gujarat, was profoundly saddened by the incident. He tweeted:

"The shock and sadness of the tragedy in Ahmedabad. Words cannot describe the heartbreak."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump also offered their condolences. King Charles is being kept advised of developments.

India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a high-level investigation with the help of Boeing, GE Aerospace, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Airline's Response and Compensation

Air India was recently acquired by the Tata Group and released a statement acknowledging the incident. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran stated that each family of the deceased passengers would receive ₹1 crore in compensation and would cooperate fully with the investigation.

"Our sympathies are with the families who have suffered the loss of their loved ones. We will provide every support we can."

History of the Aircraft and Pilots

This was the first fatal crash of a Dreamliner since the aircraft was commercially launched in 2011. He took the maiden flight in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in 2014.

Mysteries have also emerged about co-pilot Clive Kunder, who reportedly had 1,100 hours of flying experience, but was below the 1,500-hour requirement to captain a commercial flight, although he was flying with a senior pilot in command.

Conclusion

With the crash of Flight AI171, the nation and the world remain in mourning. The loss of more than 240 people has left us with questions regarding safety standards, technical protocols, and emergency procedures. Although investigations will determine the answers to these questions, our focus continues to be supporting the affected families and taking steps so that this does not happen again. Incidents like these also remind us of broader vulnerabilities in infrastructure and crisis response, similar to how natural disasters impact global economies and societies.