In a devastating turn of events, an Air India flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, plummeted into the Meghani area of the city, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life. Among those on board was First Officer Clive Kunder, cousin of Bollywood actor Vikrant Massey.
The crash occurred minutes after the aircraft's departure at approximately 1:38 PM IST. The flight, commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with 8,200 hours of flying experience, had First Officer Clive Kunder assisting in the cockpit. Kunder had logged 1,100 hours of flying time. According to Air India, the flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian national.
Vikrant Massey took to Instagram to share his grief, expressing his sorrow for all the families affected by the tragedy. He revealed that his uncle, Clifford Kunder, had lost his son, Clive Kunder, who was the First Officer on the flight. Massey wrote, "My heart breaks for the families & loved ones of the ones who lost their lives in the unimaginably tragic air crash in Ahmedabad today. It pains even more to know that my uncle, Clifford Kunder lost his son, Clive Kunder, who was the 1st officer operating on that fateful flight.”
The crash site became a scene of intense activity as emergency services, including fire engines, ambulances, and police, rushed to the area. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed multiple teams to aid in rescue and recovery efforts. Initial reports indicate that over 200 people have died in the crash, with one survivor reported so far – a British national of Indian origin.
The impact of the crash was severe, with the aircraft bursting into flames upon impact. The wreckage was scattered across a wide area, and nearby buildings also sustained damage. According to reports, the plane crashed near the Ahmedabad Horse Camp, close to the Civil Hospital, and even hit a resident doctor's hostel. The Indian Medical Association Gujarat confirmed the deaths of three MBBS students and reported that 45 others had been hospitalized.
In the wake of the tragedy, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson expressed his deep sorrow and stated that the airline is actively working with authorities on all emergency response efforts. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a full-scale investigation into the cause of the crash. Aviation experts have suggested possible causes, including engine failure, bird hits, or technical snags. It was also reported that the pilot made a "Mayday" call shortly before the crash.
The incident has prompted reactions from various quarters, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other world leaders expressing their condolences. Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu visited the crash site to assess the situation. The Tata Group has announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of each person who lost their lives in the crash.
The Air India flight AI171 crash marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The last major plane crash in India occurred in 2020 when a Boeing 737 skidded off a hilltop runway, killing 21 people.
