✈️ Tragedy in Ahmedabad: Air India Flight AI171 Crashes After Takeoff
On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck in Gujarat, India, as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed just minutes after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. The flight, carrying 242 people, reportedly crashed into the Meghani Nagar residential area, devastating nearby structures and sparking a massive fireball apnews.com+2youtube.com+2ft.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15people.com+15theguardian.com+15.
🕯️ What We Know So Far
- Flight AI171 departed at 1:38 PM local time and reached about 625 ft before losing radar contact and issuing a MAYDAY thesun.ie+2businessinsider.com+2cbsnews.com+2.
- On board were 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including nationals from India, the UK, Canada, and Portugal cbsnews.com+7people.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7.
- The aircraft struck a residential building near BJ Medical College, notably a doctor’s hostel, bringing down part of the structure en.wikipedia.org+10m.economictimes.com+10thetimes.co.uk+10.
- Emergency crews, including seven fire engines and multiple ambulances, rushed to the site; initial reports confirm numerous fatalities and many trapped under rubble thesun.ie+3en.wikipedia.org+3indiatimes.com+3.
🛑 Why This Crash Matters
This marks the first fatal crash and hull loss of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the model entered service in 2011 businessinsider.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4. Previously regarded as a benchmark of aviation safety, Boeing now faces global scrutiny. As a result, its stock dropped nearly 9% in reaction to the crash apnews.com.
It also comes at a pivotal moment for Air India under Tata’s leadership, which had been aggressively modernizing its fleet. This incident may significantly impact the airline’s safety reputation and fleet plans businessinsider.com.
🙏 Responding with Compassion
- Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran extended deep condolences, confirming the airline is setting up emergency support for the victims’ families foxnews.com+2people.com+2theguardian.com+2.
- Indian Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu mobilized aviation and emergency teams, while both Indian and UK prime ministers offered their sympathies thetimes.co.uk+5people.com+5cbsnews.com+5.
- Meanwhile, Boeing has pledged full cooperation with ongoing investigations apnews.com+1theguardian.com+1.
🔍 What Comes Next
Investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Boeing are working on determining the cause. Early speculation includes potential bird strikes that may have prevented proper takeoff speed ndtv.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1. The probe will also examine aircraft systems, maintenance history, and flight recorder data.
