India Air Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: What We Know So Far
On June 12, 2025, Air India’s Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The aircraft reached an altitude of roughly 625 feet before issuing a Mayday call and plummeting into a residential area near the airport.
Ahmedabad Crash Site: Residential Area Impact
Eyewitnesses reported intense flames and a towering black smoke plume emanating from the Meghani Nagar neighborhood. Rescue workers found the aircraft had struck a doctors’ hostel at B.J. Medical College, killing both passengers and individuals on the ground. More than 100 bodies were transferred to hospitals, and authorities fear no survivors among the 242 onboard.
Who Was on Board?
Flight AI171 carried a total of 242 occupants—230 passengers and 12 crew members—hailing from India, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada. Among the deceased are:
169 Indian nationals
53 British nationals
7 Portuguese nationals
1 Canadian national
Additionally, five individuals on the ground, including medical college students residing in the impacted hostel, have also perished.
First Boeing 787 Fatality
This marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011. Aviation analyst Alex Macheras noted the model’s “stellar safety record” and described this as “one of the worst aviation incidents for Indian aviation in recent decades.”
Official Response
Air India activated emergency support centers and pledged full cooperation with rescue efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the crash as “heartbreaking beyond words” and confirmed that all authorities are mobilising to assist victims.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, representing the affected British nationals, expressed condolences and stated that families are receiving support.
Boeing issued a statement of condolence and is cooperating with investigators—including the DGCA and the U.S.-based Boeing/GE teams.
Ongoing Investigations
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a full-scale investigation into possible technical or operational causes. Initial data from aviation trackers indicate that the aircraft’s landing gear and flaps were not retracted properly before the crash. Meteorological conditions were clear at the time, ruling out adverse weather.
This incident echoes the Air India Express crash in 2020 near Kozhikode and earlier disasters, underscoring ongoing challenges in Indian aviation safety standards.
