On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick Airport. The crash occurred at approximately 1:38 PM IST (08:08 GMT) in the Meghani Nagar area, near B. J. Medical College. Of the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived, while at least 38 people on the ground were also killed. The crash resulted in a total of 279 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent years.
Aircraft and Flight Details:
- Aircraft Type: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Registration VT-ANB)
- Operator: Air India
- Flight Number: AI171
- Route: Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW)
- Occupants: 242 (230 passengers and 12 crew members)
- Fatalities: 241 on board, 38 on the ground
- Survivor: 1 (a British national)
Survivor’s Account:
The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, was seated near the emergency exit. He managed to escape the wreckage and was later seen walking away from the crash site. Despite suffering minor injuries, he is in stable condition. Tragically, his brother, who was seated beside him, did not survive.
Crash Details:
Flight AI171 lost power shortly after takeoff, reaching only 450 feet before crashing. Investigators have retrieved the aircraft’s black boxes, and preliminary analysis reveals that the pilots issued a “Mayday” call, reporting a loss of power in the final 36 seconds before the crash.
Aircraft Information:
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the crash was registered as VT-ANB. This incident marks the first fatal crash and hull loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Investigation and Response:
Indian and British aviation authorities have initiated joint investigations into the cause of the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched urgent inspections of similar Boeing aircraft. The incident has prompted increased scrutiny of Air India’s safety protocols by international authorities
This tragic event has deeply affected the families of the victims and the broader aviation community. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash to prevent future occurrences