Tragedy in the Skies – Air India Dreamliner Crashes in Ahmedabad

Air India Ahmedabad-London flight crash Live Updates: 169 Indians, 53 Britains among passengers aboard the Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

In a devastating blow to Indian aviation, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed just minutes after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025.

The flight, headed to London Gatwick, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it lost contact at a dangerously low altitude of just 625 feet. Before vanishing from radar, the pilots issued a MAYDAY distress call, indicating a possible technical or structural emergency.

Tragically, the aircraft crashed into a residential hostel building in the Meghani Nagar area, just a few kilometers from the runway. The collision resulted in a massive fireball, sending thick black smoke over the city and triggering panic among residents.

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene — a loud explosion, debris raining down, and screams from the crash site. Emergency services responded immediately, with six NDRF teams, firefighters, and ambulances working in unison to rescue survivors and control the blaze.

The airport suspended operations temporarily, and the government established emergency helplines for families of passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and Boeing are jointly investigating the cause, focusing on black box data and aircraft maintenance records.

This incident marks the first crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model considered among the safest in modern aviation. Officials, including Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, expressed condolences and assured full-scale support to the affected families.

As the country mourns this catastrophic event, the aviation world watches closely for answers that will help ensure such a tragedy never happens again.

✅ Summary – Air India Flight AI171 Crash in Ahmedabad (12 June 2025)

• Flight: Air India AI171, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
• Route: Ahmedabad → London Gatwick
• Time: Took off at 1:38 PM, crashed within 5 minutes
• Crash Site: Meghani Nagar, near Ahmedabad Airport
• Onboard: 230 passengers + 12 crew members
• What Happened: Aircraft lost signal at ~625 ft altitude; issued a MAYDAY call before disappearing from radar
• Impact: Crashed into a college hostel building, burst into flames
• Casualties: Multiple feared dead/injured (exact figures awaited)
• Response: NDRF, Fire, Police on site; Airport shut temporarily
• Investigation: DGCA, AAIB, Boeing involved; Black box retrieval underway
• Significance: First-ever crash of Boeing 787 since its launch in 2009

News Credit : The Indian Express.