A devastating tragedy struck Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025, when Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash resulted in the confirmed deaths of 241 people on board, with one survivor, a British national of Indian origin, currently receiving treatment in a local hospital. There are also fears of casualties on the ground, as the aircraft crashed into a residential area in the Meghani area of the city.
The aircraft, carrying 242 people including 230 passengers, 2 pilots, and 10 cabin crew members, took off at 1:39 PM local time (08:09 GMT). Preliminary reports indicate that the plane struggled to gain altitude immediately after takeoff. Just moments after becoming airborne, the cockpit issued a mayday call, but no further communication was received from the aircraft. According to India's Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, the plane was carrying approximately 100 tonnes of fuel, suggesting it was operating with a near-full load for the long-haul flight to London.
Eyewitness accounts and emerging CCTV footage depict the Dreamliner struggling to ascend, flying unusually low before disappearing from view and crashing, followed by a massive explosion. The impact and subsequent fire have caused widespread damage in the densely populated Meghani area, with emergency services swiftly responding to the scene.
The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with over 22 years of commercial flying expertise, and co-pilot Clive Kundar. Their combined flying hours exceeded 9,000.
Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, has been identified as the sole survivor of the crash. He was found in seat 11A and is currently being treated for multiple injuries at Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital. Mr. Ramesh reported hearing a loud bang approximately 30 seconds after takeoff, immediately before the crash.
Air India has confirmed the incident, stating that Flight AI171 was involved in a tragic accident and that their primary focus is on supporting the affected individuals and their families. The airline has established an emergency center and support teams to provide assistance and information to families.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed the presence of 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals on board the flight.
The crash marks the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner since its introduction into commercial service in 2011. Aviation experts from the US and UK are expected to join Indian investigators in the coming days to determine the cause of the crash. The investigation will focus on several potential factors, including the possibility of technical malfunction, human error, or the impact of hot weather conditions on the aircraft's performance. Ahmedabad experienced temperatures nearing 40°C (104F) on Thursday, which could have affected the air density and required higher flap settings and greater engine thrust for takeoff.
