On June 12, 2025, at approximately 1:38 PM local time, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner registration VT‑ANB, crashed moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. En route to London Gatwick Airport, the wide-body airliner carried 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew members.navbharattimes.indiatimes.com+15apnews.com+15cbsnews.com+15
Eyewitnesses reported the aircraft struggled to gain altitude, keeping its landing gear deployed, and descended abruptly into a densely populated residential and educational area—Meghani Nagar, including the campus of B.J. Medical College—just five minutes into its departure.foxnews.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4apnews.com+4 Thick plumes of black smoke and a large fireball were visible from the wreckage site.thesun.co.uk+3apnews.com+3thesun.ie+3
Passenger and Crew Details
Air India and authorities provided the following breakdown of those on board:
Total on board: 242 (230 passengers, 12 crew)reuters.com+6reuters.com+6news.sky.com+6news.com.au+13apnews.com+13timesofindia.indiatimes.com+13
Nationality: 169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadiannpr.org+10apnews.com+10news.com.au+10
Included among passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.nypost.com+3people.com+3timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3
Initial Response & Casualty Figures
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G. S. Malik stated that it “appears there are no survivors in the plane crash” and that “some locals would have died” as the aircraft struck buildings.timesofindia.indiatimes.com+12apnews.com+12cbsnews.com+12
Firefighters, six NDRF teams, ambulances, police, and army units were deployed within minutes.thesun.ie+2navbharattimes.indiatimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2
At least 204 bodies had been recovered by midday, with fatalities confirmed both on board and likely on the ground.reuters.com+2aljazeera.com+2news.com.au+2
Contradictory reports emerged when one survivor was found in seat 11A and rushed to hospital.en.wikipedia.org+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1 Authorities clarified that investigations were ongoing to reconcile these numbers.
Aircraft & Flight History
Aircraft: Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, ~11 years old, ~41,700 flight hours.nypost.com+6barrons.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6
This incident marks the first fatal crash and hull loss of a Boeing Dreamliner since its 2009/2011 introduction.news.com.au+2en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2
Timeline of Key Events
| Time (IST) | Event |
|---|---|
| ~13:38 | Flight AI 171 departs from Ahmedabad runway 23.reuters.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15people.com+15 |
| Seconds later | Mayday call logged at around 625 ft altitude. |
| Within 5 minutes | Aircraft crashed into Meghani Nagar, hitting hostel building. |
| Immediately after | Rescue teams mobilized; airport operations paused. |
Emergency and Rescue Operations
Emergency services were activated swiftly:
Teams from Indian Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local firefighting units, ACLS ambulances, and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) aided at the scene.timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15apnews.com+15thesun.ie+15
Authorities established helplines—including numbers like 079‑232‑51900—for public inquiries and coordination.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Medical support centers were set up at nearby hospitals to treat survivors and support families.people.com+4news.com.au+4timesofindia.indiatimes.com+4
Ahmedabad airport operations were suspended temporarily, resuming later under controlled traffic.timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Government Reaction & Global Condolences
India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow on X: “The tragedy … is heartbreaking beyond words.” He remained in continuous contact with central and local authorities.timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6
Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visited the crash site and coordinated relief.en.wikipedia.org+4apnews.com+4thesun.ie+4
International
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the crash as “devastating” and pledged full support.news.com.au+3apnews.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3
King Charles III and Queen Camilla offered “deepest sympathy” and commended rescue efforts.timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2thesun.co.uk+2en.wikipedia.org+2
Other leaders, including UK Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell, also provided support assurances.cbsnews.com+8apnews.com+8people.com+8
Investigations and Technical Follow-Up
The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) launched full-scale investigations.cbsnews.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6
The flights' black boxes will be recovered, and technical analysis will focus on flight systems, engine performance, and potential mechanical issues.
Boeing stated readiness to support and monitor investigation outcomes.news.com.au+1cbsnews.com+1
Industry Impact & Boeing’s Record
Boeing stock dropped approx 5–9 percent in trading after news of the crash but noted its Dreamliner series had not experienced any loss of aircraft previously.
This incident raises fresh concerns, especially following past Boeing aircraft tragedies.
Crash in Historical Context
India’s Aviation Safety
This marks Air India’s first hull loss of a Dreamliner.barrons.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15reuters.com+15
India's aviation history includes serious incidents such as those in 2020 (Kozhikode) and 2010 (Mangaluru), both involving Boeing 737 aircraft.thesun.co.uk+1en.wikipedia.org+1
Dreamliner’s Reliability
The Boeing 787, still considered modern since its late-2000s debut, had an exemplary safety record—making this a watershed event.
Human Cost & Survivor Accounts
At least 204 bodies recovered, including crew and passengers; additional fatalities reported on ground.reuters.com+3aljazeera.com+3news.com.au+3
One confirmed survivor is receiving care; his condition and identity remain private pending next of kin notifications.
Local witnesses described the scene of devastation and praised prompt emergency response despite full fuel load aggravating the blaze.
What Happens Next
Ongoing Rescue and Identification – Efforts continue to recover remains, confirm survivor status, and support affected families.
Safety Investigation – The DGCA, AAIB, and Boeing will analyze flight data, mechanical logs, and crew communications.
Regulatory Actions – Aviation norms may be reassessed, such as heavy fuel load take-off procedures and emergency readiness near urban areas.
Long‑term Measures – Policy reforms may follow to improve crash zone zoning, airfield emergency protocols, and Boeing’s crisis management
