Introduction
On June 12, 2025,Ahmedabad Air India crash, tragedy struck India’s skies when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The incident, deemed India’s deadliest aviation disaster in nearly three decades, has raised serious questions about aircraft safety, operational protocols, and emergency response systems .
Timeline of the Ahmedabad Air India Crash
- 13:38 IST: Flight AI171 departs for London Gatwick with 230 passengers and 12 crew members.
- 13:38:30 IST: A “Mayday” call is issued by the pilots as the aircraft struggles to gain altitude.
- Within 1 minute: The Boeing Dreamliner crashes into B.J. Medical College’s hostel in Meghani Nagar, igniting a deadly fireball.
- 13:45 IST: Rescue teams, including IAF, NDRF, and local emergency forces, arrive at the crash site.
Suspected Cause of the Air India Plane Crash
Preliminary video analysis shows that the landing gear remained extended and wing flaps were not deployed properly during takeoff. These anomalies indicate a failure in takeoff configuration, possibly related to flap automation or pre-flight checks.
Moreover, the high summer temperatures of Ahmedabad, combined with the aircraft’s near-maximum takeoff weight for a long-haul route, may have contributed to a stall during climb. The DGCA and the U.S. NTSB are jointly investigating the data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.
Victims: The Scale of Human Tragedy
Of the 242 onboard, only one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British-Indian businessman, survived. The crash also killed 28 people on the ground, including medical students and hostel staff. Among the dead was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
The crash site, once a thriving student hostel, was reduced to rubble. Dozens of families are now in mourning, with over 60 injured receiving treatment at Civil Hospital Ahmedabad.
National and Global Reactions
The Tata Group, owner of Air India, pledged ₹1 crore compensation to the families of each victim and promised to fund the rebuilding of the destroyed hostel. Meanwhile, Boeing has faced intense scrutiny, with its stock dropping nearly 9% following the incident.
The UK and U.S. aviation authorities are actively participating in the investigation. Questions have also been raised about potential software issues with the Dreamliner’s takeoff warning systems.
Conclusion: What Comes Next
This devastating crash highlights the critical need for rigorous pre-flight safety checks, proper configuration procedures, and advanced pilot training. The aviation world awaits the final findings from DGCA and NTSB, which will likely lead to new global safety advisories.
As India mourns the loss of 269 lives, the spotlight remains on ensuring such a catastrophe never repeats. The lone survivor, Vishwash Kumar, is expected to play a key role in the unfolding investigation.
Read More: India’s Aviation Safety Record
External Link: FT: Air India Crash Report
