Air India Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner Crash in Ahmedabad Triggers Global Safety Alarm, Boeing Shares Drop 8%

Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025 – Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick. The disaster, which killed all 242 people onboard and others on the ground, has triggered global scrutiny and a sharp drop in Boeing’s shares. Here’s the latest on this tragic event.

A Catastrophic Crash

The loss was swift:

• Flight AI171 departed at 1:38 PM IST with 230 passengers and 12 crew, including 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian.
• At 625 feet, the crew issued a Mayday call before the plane vanished from radar and struck a doctors’ hostel in Meghani Nagar.
• A massive fire erupted, with a witness saying, “The sky turned black with smoke and flames.”

The wreckage tells a grim story.

Heavy Loss of Life

The toll is heartbreaking:

• No survivors were found among the 242 onboard, with over 100 bodies recovered, many severely burned.
• Ground casualties, possibly including hostel residents, remain unconfirmed, though local injuries were reported.
• Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers, deepening the tragedy.

The community mourns profound losses.

Investigating the Cause

Probes are underway:

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, with Boeing and GE Aerospace, are examining the crash.
• Flight data suggests the landing gear stayed down and flaps weren’t adjusted, hinting at technical issues with the General Electric GEnx engines or controls.
• Black boxes are expected to reveal why the Mayday call was made.

Answers are urgently needed.

Leaders Respond with Support

Condolences crossed borders:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the crash “heartbreaking beyond words,” ensuring rescue coordination.
• UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed shock, pledging aid for British nationals, while King Charles offered prayers.
• Air India’s hotline (1800-5691-444) is supporting families, as an X post said, “The world grieves with Ahmedabad.”

Global unity shines through sorrow.

Boeing’s Market Hit

The crash rocked markets:

• Boeing’s shares fell 4% in premarket trading, a blow after recent gains, with suppliers like GE Aerospace also dipping.
• This first fatal hull loss of a 787 Dreamliner since 2011 raises doubts about its safety, despite no prior fatal crashes.
• Analysts fear renewed scrutiny as Boeing prepares for the Paris Air Show.

The industry braces for turbulence.

A Blow to Air India and Safety

The crash stings deeply:

• For Air India, under Tata Group since 2022 and merged with Vistara in 2024, it’s the worst disaster since the 2020 Calicut crash.
• The 2014-delivered VT-ANB had flown from Delhi that day, with recent maintenance checks.
• Regulators are pushing for stricter safety audits, especially for older 787s.

India’s aviation faces a reckoning.

A Call for Answers

The path forward is heavy:

• Rescue teams continue searching the hostel site, hampered by debris and fire.
• The global aviation community demands clarity on the 787’s safety and Air India’s protocols.
• This tragedy, India’s deadliest in years, urges tougher standards to prevent future losses.

The world watches as Ahmedabad heals.