Air India Boeing 787 Crash in Ahmedabad: What We Know So Far

Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025 – An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, marking a devastating aviation tragedy. The aircraft, bound for London Gatwick, went down in the Meghani area, sparking a massive fire. Here’s the latest on this unfolding disaster.

The Crash at a Glance

The incident was sudden:

• Flight AI171 departed Ahmedabad at around 1:38 PM IST, carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew.
• Moments after takeoff, the plane crashed 8 km from the airport in the Meghani area, not during landing.
• A loud explosion and thick black smoke followed, visible across the city.

The scale of the tragedy is still emerging.

What Witnesses Saw

Locals were shaken:

• A shopkeeper said, “It sounded like a bomb, then smoke covered everything.”
• Videos online show the aircraft struggling to climb, veering sharply before plunging.
• Residents rushed to help before emergency teams arrived.

These accounts paint a grim picture.

We the people of India are with zero civic sense. Crowd only blocking the rescue operation after the Air India #PlaneCrash in Ahmedabad. #AirIndia #Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/zq138OKWAG

— A10 (@twin_sevenn) June 12, 2025

Emergency Efforts Underway

Response was swift:

• Over 20 fire tenders and six National Disaster Response Force teams battled the blaze, fueled by the plane’s heavy load for the long-haul flight.
• Civil Hospital and other facilities are treating the injured, with a green corridor for ambulances.
• Flights are diverted to Mumbai, and Ahmedabad airport is closed.

Rescue teams face tough conditions.

About the Aircraft

The plane has a history:

• Registration VT-ANX, delivered in 2018, had its last maintenance check 15 days ago in Mumbai.
• In 2022, it faced a hydraulic issue but landed safely.
• Pilots Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours) issued a MAYDAY call before contact was lost.

The aircraft’s past is now under scrutiny.

What Might Have Caused It

Investigators are probing:

• Technical issues, like the 787’s known electrical glitches, are a focus.
• Weather reports note gusty winds, though their role is unclear.
• Air traffic control talks are being reviewed for possible human error.

No cause is confirmed yet.

DGCA Steps In

Authorities are acting:

• Teams are searching for the black box to analyze flight data and cockpit recordings.
• Air India’s 12 other Boeing 787s are grounded for safety checks.
• Boeing and US National Transportation Safety Board experts are joining the probe.

The investigation is a top priority.

Impact on Passengers

The human toll is heavy:

• The manifest lists 242 people, including 169 Indian, 53 British, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals.
• Air India’s helpline (1800-5691-444) is active for families seeking updates.
• An X post read, “Heartbreaking—prayers for all on board.”

Families await news with dread.