The crash of Air India Flight AI171 near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, has been described as "one of the darkest days in Tata Group's history" by Chairman N Chandrasekaran. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 passengers and crew members. One British national miraculously survived the crash.
The aircraft plummeted into a residential area in the Meghani Nagar area, specifically impacting the B.J. Medical College hostel mess, where over 100 students were having lunch. This resulted in the deaths of not only those on board but also at least eight people on the ground, including medical students. The crash caused a massive fire due to the heavy fuel load of the long-haul flight.
In the wake of the tragedy, Chandrasekaran communicated to Tata Group employees, emphasizing the group's commitment to transparency and responsibility. He stated that the safety of passengers had been the foremost priority since Tata Sons took over Air India. He has also urged for patience, stating that there is plenty of speculation and to wait until a verified cause of the crash is found by trained investigators. Investigative teams from India, the UK, and the US are currently in Ahmedabad to investigate the crash. The aircraft's flight data recorder, or black box, has been recovered and is expected to provide critical insights into the cause of the accident.
The Tata Group has announced ₹1 crore compensation to the families of the victims. Air India has established assistance centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gatwick airports to support the affected families. Campbell Wilson, Air India's MD and CEO, expressed that the airline is devastated by the loss and is providing support and care to all those impacted.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an enhanced safety inspection of Air India's Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. This includes checks of various systems and a review of takeoff parameters. Additional maintenance actions have also been directed for Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 planes equipped with Genx engines.
The crash has prompted an outpouring of grief and condolences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with injured victims. US President Donald Trump offered support to India, calling the crash "terrible and horrific".
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the crash was 11.5 years old and had flown for over 41,000 hours. The aircraft had 18 business class seats and 238 economy class seats.
