The Air India Flight AI171 crash near Ahmedabad has claimed the lives of at least 270 people, with rescue teams still searching the site for more bodies. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The crash site is in a densely populated area of Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, where the aircraft struck a medical college hostel.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu addressed the nation on Saturday, June 14, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims. He confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had recovered the flight's digital flight data recorder, commonly known as the "black box," from a rooftop near the crash site. The minister stated that decoding the black box would provide crucial insights into the circumstances leading to the crash.
"The AAIB team believes that this decoding of the black box is going to give an in-depth insight into what would have happened during the process of the crash or moments before the crash itself," Naidu said during a press briefing. He emphasized the government's commitment to a thorough investigation and assured that all necessary safety protocols are being reviewed.
According to Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the flight took off at 1:39 PM and, within seconds of reaching a height of approximately 650 feet, began to lose altitude. The pilot reported a "Mayday," indicating a full emergency, to Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 1:39 PM. Sources also revealed that the pilot sent distress messages such as "thrust not achieved" and "falling" to the ATC before the crash.
The government has formed a high-level committee, chaired by the Union Home Secretary, to conduct an independent and comprehensive inquiry into the crash. The committee includes officials from various agencies, including the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of Gujarat, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the Indian Air Force, the Intelligence Bureau, and forensic experts. The investigation is expected to take around three months.
In the wake of the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital to meet with the injured and bereaved families. He also chaired a high-level meeting to direct further action. Home Minister Amit Shah also reviewed the situation and instructed central agencies to provide necessary support.
Meanwhile, forensic teams are working to identify the deceased, many of whom were charred or mutilated, using DNA matching. Local authorities have stated that the DNA matching process could take up to 72 hours.
Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti noted that investigators would likely examine factors such as wing flap settings, engine power, cockpit alarms, and the accuracy of logged data regarding external temperature and fuel/passenger weight. Enhanced safety inspections of all Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft in Air India's fleet will also be conducted.
The lone survivor of the crash, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, is currently under observation at Civil Hospital for impact wounds.
