Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner Crashes in Ahmedabad—242 Onboard, 1 Survived and Dozens Still Missing
Ankit Gupta | Jun 12, 2025, 17:37 IST
On June 12, 2025, 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. It came down in the residential Meghani Nagar area, approximately 5 minutes after departure, at around 1:38 p.m. IST
Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — A devastating air disaster struck India on Thursday afternoon when Air India Flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed minutes after takeoff, plummeting into the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood. Initial reports confirm dozens of fatalities, and scores of others are injured, with search and rescue operations ongoing as the nation reels from its worst aviation catastrophe in nearly five years.
The flight, operated by a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including nationals from India, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada. The crash occurred around 1:38 p.m. IST, just five minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft ascending normally before a loud boom was heard. Moments later, the plane lost altitude rapidly and crashed in flames into a residential area. The impact was so severe that entire homes were leveled, and a massive fireball engulfed the crash site.
One eyewitness, Rajendra Joshi, who lives near the Meghani area, recounted:
“It sounded like a bomb. The ground shook. When I ran outside, all I could see was smoke, debris, and people screaming for help.”
Flightradar24 data shows that the aircraft lost altitude at approximately 625 feet, shortly after the crew issued a “mayday” call. Contact was lost shortly thereafter. The cause remains under investigation, but officials suspect a technical failure or critical engine malfunction.
Within minutes of the crash, fire brigades, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, police, and local volunteers rushed to the scene. Rescue operations continued through the afternoon and into the evening.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has confirmed that at least 30 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage, though that number is expected to rise. Over 100 people have been hospitalized, some in critical condition. Nearby hospitals like Civil Hospital and Sterling Hospital are overwhelmed with casualties.
Dr. Meera Soni, head of emergency services at Civil Hospital, said:
“We have received multiple burn victims, head trauma cases, and several children among the injured. It’s a mass casualty situation.”
The Gujarat State Government has declared a state of emergency in the area, and local schools and public buildings have been turned into temporary shelters for those displaced.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief and called for a high-level investigation. In a tweet, he wrote:
“Deeply anguished by the crash of Air India flight AI171. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. Prayers for the injured. The central and state governments are working together to provide all assistance.”
Newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also issued a statement expressing condolences:
“We are devastated to hear of the Air India tragedy. The British Government is in touch with Indian authorities and will offer any support needed. We pray for the victims and their loved ones.”
The Air India crisis response team has activated helpline numbers in India and the UK, and families are being notified. The airline has promised full transparency, and senior Air India officials have been dispatched to the site and the hospitals.
According to flight manifests released by the airline, the 242 individuals on board included:
A heartbreaking case involves Dr. Reema Desai, a 32-year-old dentist from Vadodara, who was flying to London to join her husband. Her family, waiting for confirmation, is among hundreds now in grief or in limbo.
Another passenger, Captain Amar Singh, a retired Indian Army officer, was en route to the UK for his grandson’s graduation. His name appeared in the initial unconfirmed list of deceased.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, considered one of the most advanced in Air India’s fleet. It had been in service since 2017, and according to preliminary reports, had passed its last major maintenance check in April 2025.
Flight tracking data suggests a rapid and unexplained loss of power or engine stall. While unconfirmed, engine failure during climbout is being seen as a potential cause. The pilots had issued an emergency call, signaling that something catastrophic had occurred almost immediately after takeoff.
This marks the first-ever fatal hull loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a fact that will send shockwaves through the global aviation industry. Aviation analysts are already raising questions about whether the aircraft had any known history of technical glitches or whether intense summer heat in Ahmedabad could have played a role in the malfunction.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Boeing, and Air India have begun a joint inquiry. Black box recovery is in process and will be crucial to understanding the final moments.
This is the deadliest Indian aviation disaster since the 2020 Kozhikode crash, and its impact is already being compared to the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision, one of the worst in global history.
As the sun set over Ahmedabad, candles were lit, and temples, mosques, and gurdwaras held prayers for the victims. On social media, hashtags like #PrayForAI171 and #AirIndiaCrash trended, as netizens offered condolences and demanded accountability.
Local community members in Meghani Nagar, despite having lost their homes and loved ones, joined hands with rescue officials, displaying courage and humanity in crisis.
While recovery and identification of victims continue, the nation awaits the outcome of the aviation safety investigation, which will focus on:
For a country rapidly expanding its aviation infrastructure and international connectivity, this disaster is a grim reminder of the fragility of flight. Air travel, while statistically safe, becomes a national trauma when rare tragedies strike.
As India observes a day of mourning, flags fly at half-mast, and families wait at hospital gates and crisis centers. The Air India logo, once a symbol of India’s global aspirations, now flies heavy with grief.
In one tragic moment, dreams, lives, and futures were extinguished in a ball of fire that crashed through the heart of Ahmedabad. As India mourns the victims of Flight AI171, the focus now turns to healing, accountability, and ensuring that no such sorrow ever strikes again.
The flight, operated by a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including nationals from India, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada. The crash occurred around 1:38 p.m. IST, just five minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA).
A Sudden Descent into Disaster
Air India flight AI 171 bound for London with 242 passengers on board
( Image credit : ANI )
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft ascending normally before a loud boom was heard. Moments later, the plane lost altitude rapidly and crashed in flames into a residential area. The impact was so severe that entire homes were leveled, and a massive fireball engulfed the crash site.
One eyewitness, Rajendra Joshi, who lives near the Meghani area, recounted:
“It sounded like a bomb. The ground shook. When I ran outside, all I could see was smoke, debris, and people screaming for help.”
Flightradar24 data shows that the aircraft lost altitude at approximately 625 feet, shortly after the crew issued a “mayday” call. Contact was lost shortly thereafter. The cause remains under investigation, but officials suspect a technical failure or critical engine malfunction.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
"With profound sorrow, I confirm tragic accident involving Flight 171," says Air India Chairman
( Image credit : ANI )
Within minutes of the crash, fire brigades, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, police, and local volunteers rushed to the scene. Rescue operations continued through the afternoon and into the evening.
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has confirmed that at least 30 bodies have been recovered from the wreckage, though that number is expected to rise. Over 100 people have been hospitalized, some in critical condition. Nearby hospitals like Civil Hospital and Sterling Hospital are overwhelmed with casualties.
Dr. Meera Soni, head of emergency services at Civil Hospital, said:
“We have received multiple burn victims, head trauma cases, and several children among the injured. It’s a mass casualty situation.”
The Gujarat State Government has declared a state of emergency in the area, and local schools and public buildings have been turned into temporary shelters for those displaced.
National and International Shockwaves
“Deeply anguished by the crash of Air India flight AI171. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. Prayers for the injured. The central and state governments are working together to provide all assistance.”
Newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also issued a statement expressing condolences:
“We are devastated to hear of the Air India tragedy. The British Government is in touch with Indian authorities and will offer any support needed. We pray for the victims and their loved ones.”
The Air India crisis response team has activated helpline numbers in India and the UK, and families are being notified. The airline has promised full transparency, and senior Air India officials have been dispatched to the site and the hospitals.
Who Was Onboard? A Global Tragedy
Our hearts go out to families who suffered an unimaginable loss: Gautam Adani
( Image credit : IANS )
According to flight manifests released by the airline, the 242 individuals on board included:
- 169 Indians
- 53 British nationals
- 7 Portuguese citizens
- 1 Canadian
A heartbreaking case involves Dr. Reema Desai, a 32-year-old dentist from Vadodara, who was flying to London to join her husband. Her family, waiting for confirmation, is among hundreds now in grief or in limbo.
Another passenger, Captain Amar Singh, a retired Indian Army officer, was en route to the UK for his grandson’s graduation. His name appeared in the initial unconfirmed list of deceased.
The Aircraft and the Possible Cause
Aviation Ministry activates control room after Air India Flight AI171 crashes post-takeoff
( Image credit : ANI )
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, considered one of the most advanced in Air India’s fleet. It had been in service since 2017, and according to preliminary reports, had passed its last major maintenance check in April 2025.
Flight tracking data suggests a rapid and unexplained loss of power or engine stall. While unconfirmed, engine failure during climbout is being seen as a potential cause. The pilots had issued an emergency call, signaling that something catastrophic had occurred almost immediately after takeoff.
This marks the first-ever fatal hull loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a fact that will send shockwaves through the global aviation industry. Aviation analysts are already raising questions about whether the aircraft had any known history of technical glitches or whether intense summer heat in Ahmedabad could have played a role in the malfunction.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Boeing, and Air India have begun a joint inquiry. Black box recovery is in process and will be crucial to understanding the final moments.
A Nation in Mourning
As the sun set over Ahmedabad, candles were lit, and temples, mosques, and gurdwaras held prayers for the victims. On social media, hashtags like #PrayForAI171 and #AirIndiaCrash trended, as netizens offered condolences and demanded accountability.
Local community members in Meghani Nagar, despite having lost their homes and loved ones, joined hands with rescue officials, displaying courage and humanity in crisis.
What Happens Next?
- Black Box Data – voice recorder and flight data recorder to be analyzed.
- Air Traffic Communication – last recorded mayday and pilot voice.
- Aircraft Maintenance Logs – especially for the engines and fuel systems.
- Weather Conditions – although skies were reportedly clear, heat stress may be examined.
- Design & Technical Audit of Boeing 787-8 – with global implications.
A Grim Reminder of Fragility
As India observes a day of mourning, flags fly at half-mast, and families wait at hospital gates and crisis centers. The Air India logo, once a symbol of India’s global aspirations, now flies heavy with grief.
Helpline Numbers for Families
- India (Air India Helpline): 1800-180-1407
- UK (Consulate Crisis Line): +44 20 8392 1122
- Ahmedabad Airport Control Room: +91-79-2286 9211
In one tragic moment, dreams, lives, and futures were extinguished in a ball of fire that crashed through the heart of Ahmedabad. As India mourns the victims of Flight AI171, the focus now turns to healing, accountability, and ensuring that no such sorrow ever strikes again.