Ahmedabad, India — June 12, 2025 – A Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner operated by Air India, Flight AI171 from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick, crashed just minutes after takeoff this Thursday afternoon. The flight departed at approximately 1:38 PM IST (08:08 UTC), carrying 242 people aboard—232 passengers and 12 crew members.
Eyewitnesses described seeing the aircraft struggling to gain altitude, followed by flames and dense black smoke rising over the Meghani Nagar residential area — located just off the airport’s perimeter. Flight-tracking services indicated the last radar contact occurred at around 625 ft (~190 m) after a MAYDAY call was issued moments before communications were lost.
Emergency response teams—including seven fire engines, multiple ambulances, and NDRF personnel—were deployed to the scene immediately. Rescue efforts are ongoing amid heavy smoke and raging fires caused by the jet’s fuel load for the long-haul journey.
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Passenger and Crew Manifest
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Passengers: 232
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Crew: 12
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Flight crew experience: Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal (~8,200 flight hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar (~1,100 hours).
Government & Airline Response
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Air India, chaired by Natarajan Chandrasekaran, confirmed the crash and has established an emergency centre to assist families and next of kin.
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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Home Minister Amit Shah have taken charge of the rescue mission. The Prime Minister has directed all relevant agencies to provide swift support, with airport operations temporarily halted.
Crash Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Boeing, Air India, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause. Early focus includes whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental factors played a role.
As of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding casualties or survivors. Rescue operations continue amid dangerous conditions at the crash site. Both Air India and government officials are providing timely updates. Affected families are being assisted through hotlines and emergency centres set up by the airline and authorities.
