The Air India Flight AI171 crash on June 12, 2025, near Ahmedabad, India, has resulted in a devastating loss of life. The official death toll stands at 275, including 241 fatalities on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and 34 on the ground. The aircraft, en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, impacting a hostel block of B. J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood.
The crash occurred approximately thirty seconds after takeoff, with the flight crew issuing a mayday call reporting a loss of power and thrust. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, rapidly lost altitude, resulting in a catastrophic impact. One passenger miraculously survived the crash, escaping from an emergency exit with minor injuries.
The aftermath of the crash was marked by multiple explosions and thick plumes of smoke. Emergency response teams, including fire services, ambulances, police, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units, were immediately dispatched to the scene. The intensity of the fire, fueled by the aircraft's heavy fuel load, made rescue and recovery efforts exceedingly challenging.
Authorities have been working diligently to identify the victims, with DNA testing playing a crucial role due to the severe damage to the bodies. As of June 19, 2025, 215 victims had been identified through DNA matching, and 198 bodies had been handed over to their families. The victims included 149 Indian citizens, 32 British citizens, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national who were passengers on the flight, as well as the remains of nine victims from the ground.
The crash has prompted a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident. The aircraft's digital flight data recorder (black box) was recovered from a rooftop near the crash site and is expected to provide valuable insights into the engine and control settings during the flight. The voice recorder will also be analyzed to gather information from cockpit conversations.
In response to the tragedy, Air India and Air India Express have discontinued the use of flight number '171'. The Ahmedabad–London Gatwick flight will now operate under the new number 'AI 159'. Additionally, India's aviation regulator has ordered Air India to conduct additional safety inspections on its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, including power assurance checks.
The Air India Flight 171 crash is the first fatal accident and hull loss of the 787 Dreamliner since it entered commercial service in 2011. The incident has sent shockwaves through the aviation community, raising concerns about the safety and reliability of modern aircraft. As the investigation progresses, authorities will be working to determine the root cause of the crash and implement measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The incident is considered India's worst-ever single aircraft disaster.
