Air India Boeing 787 with 242 People on Board Crashes Shortly After Takeoff from Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, India — June 12, 2025 — An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, leaving 242 passengers and crew members onboard. The incident has sent shockwaves across India and the global aviation industry.

The Crash: What We Know So Far

According to early data from flight-tracking site FlightRadar24, the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of just 625 feet before it began descending rapidly at a vertical speed of -475 feet per minute. The plane lost contact with air traffic control and crashed into the Meghaninagar residential area, just northeast of Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a fireball and thick black smoke rising from the crash site. Rescue operations began within minutes, with emergency services and disaster response teams deployed immediately.

Aircraft and Flight Details

Aircraft type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner

Tail number: Delivered to Air India in 2014

Flight route: Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW)

Total onboard: 230 passengers and 12 crew members

Flight number: AI171

The Boeing 787 is considered one of the most advanced wide-body jets, typically used for long-haul international routes. This is the first major accident involving a Dreamliner in India.

Injuries and Casualties

Air India confirmed that multiple injuries have been reported, and all injured individuals are being transported to nearby hospitals. The exact number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, but emergency services are treating this as a mass casualty incident.

Rescue teams are also searching nearby buildings for any civilian injuries or fatalities on the ground, as the crash occurred in a populated area.

Official Responses

N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Air India, issued a statement:

“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight AI171 operating Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today.”

Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, posted on social media:

“I am deeply saddened by the crash. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out on a war footing. Immediate medical treatment is being provided to the injured.”

India's Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said rescue teams are working around the clock and that a full investigation is underway.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun preliminary inquiries, and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) have reportedly been located.

Boeing’s Statement and Market Reaction

Boeing released a brief statement:

“We are aware of initial reports and are working to gather more information.”

As news of the crash spread, Boeing shares fell 7.9% in premarket trading in New York. Investors reacted to concerns about the potential technical cause of the crash, especially after recent scrutiny over safety standards and production issues.

Airport Operations Suspended

Following the incident, Ahmedabad Airport suspended all flights temporarily. Several flights have been diverted to Mumbai and Delhi as investigations and recovery continue.

Passengers with bookings on Air India or connecting airlines are advised to check with their carriers for updates.

What Happens Next?

A full-scale investigation is now underway. The DGCA, Air India, and Boeing will work together to determine the root cause of the crash. Investigators will review maintenance logs, weather data, air traffic recordings, and black box data to assess whether the crash was due to mechanical failure, human error, or other factors.

The tragedy raises pressing questions about aircraft safety, pilot training, and fleet maintenance, particularly as Air India continues expanding its long-haul international operations.

Summary of the Incident

Final Thoughts

The crash of Air India Flight AI171 marks a devastating moment for aviation in India and raises urgent concerns about operational safety in both public and private sectors. With full investigations now underway, transparency, accountability, and support for victims and families will be critical in the coming days.

Further updates will follow as authorities release more verified information.

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Source: CNBC