Air India Dreamliner Crash in Ahmedabad: 241 Dead, One Survivor in Nation’s Worst Aviation Tragedy
In one of India’s worst aviation disasters, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025, killing 241 of the 242 people on board. The flight, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, carried 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including two experienced pilots. The only survivor was a British national of Indian origin seated in Seat 11A.
The aircraft issued a MAYDAY call moments after departure at 1:39 p.m. IST from Runway 23, but air traffic control received no further communication. Within minutes, the plane crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, specifically into a hostel housing BJ Medical College students, killing five students on the ground as well. The aircraft burst into flames, causing a massive explosion that was caught on camera by onlookers.
Air India confirmed the crash and casualties via a post on X, noting that the 12-year-old aircraft had 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian on board. The pilot, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, had over 8,200 flying hours, and the First Officer, Clive Kundar, had 1,100 hours. The aircraft lost lift at an altitude of just 825 feet, and was unable to climb, according to aviation expert Sanjay Lazar.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with two dozen ambulances, fire units, and NDRF teams rushing to the site. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site, expressing condolences and ordering a full-scale investigation. The DGCA and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are leading the probe to determine the exact cause of the crash, with mechanical failure or loss of lift being early theories.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event as “heartbreaking beyond words”, offering prayers and support to the victims’ families. Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran extended financial assistance of ₹1 crore per deceased family and pledged to cover all medical expenses for the injured. He also confirmed that Air India will run two relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad to assist affected families and staff.
This tragedy marks the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model with a strong safety record. In response, Boeing acknowledged the incident and said it is working to gather more information. Ahmedabad airport suspended all operations until further notice and has urged passengers to check with airlines for the latest updates.
Air India has set up emergency helplines (1800 5691 444 / +91 8062779200) and is providing continuous updates via its official website and X handle. The airline also sent care teams to Ahmedabad to offer support.
This crash has not only devastated hundreds of families but also raised serious questions about aviation safety and emergency response protocols in India.
