Boeing 787’s First Fatal Crash: Air India AI171 Wrecks Ahmedabad Neighborhood

KATHMANDU: Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB), crashed into the Meghani Nagar residential area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM IST on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The London Gatwick-bound flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, killed 241 onboard, with one British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, surviving. The crash, the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, also claimed numerous lives on the ground, including at least five medical students when the plane struck a medical college dining hall.

Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath

The aircraft, which departed at 1:38 PM IST, reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before losing signal less than a minute later, according to Flightradar24. CCTV footage showed the plane accelerating normally on Runway 23 before taking off, but it descended abruptly with its nose upward, crashing into densely packed buildings and sparking a massive fire fueled by the plane’s heavy load. Social media videos captured thick smoke and flames billowing from the wreckage.

Rescue operations began immediately, involving six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, state and central agencies, firefighters, and police. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered a green corridor to transport the injured to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where DNA testing was arranged to identify victims. The Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad recovered a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) from the debris, with forensic teams analyzing it for clues. One black box has been recovered, but Air India reported the second remains missing.

Casualties and Survivor

Air India confirmed 241 fatalities among the 242 onboard, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the deceased, mourned as a “grassroots leader” by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, an Indian-origin British national seated in 11A, was thrown from the plane and is receiving treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Ramesh reported hearing a “loud noise” 30 seconds into the flight.

Ground casualties remain unconfirmed but are significant, with at least 265 bodies brought to hospitals, including residents and bystanders. The plane’s impact on a medical college dining hall killed at least five students, according to the dean.

Official Response and Investigation

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met Ramesh in the hospital, expressing condolences and pledging support for victims’ families. Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu oversaw rescue efforts, with Shah briefing reporters on the tragedy’s scale. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and Tata Group Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran visited the site, with the Tata Group announcing INR 1 crore compensation per victim’s family, supplemented by INR 1.5 crore under the Montreal Convention.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, with international investigators assisting. Initial theories include human error, with one pilot suggesting a possible mistake in raising flaps instead of landing gear, though no cause has been confirmed. The Boeing 787’s flight data recorder, which monitors thousands of parameters, is expected to provide critical insights once fully analyzed. Past whistleblower claims about improper fastening of 787 fuselage parts, under investigation by the FAA since April 2024, have resurfaced but remain unverified.

Impact and Context

The crash, India’s deadliest aviation disaster since 1996, halted operations at Ahmedabad airport and sent Boeing shares tumbling nearly 8% in premarket trading. The 12-year-old aircraft was the first 787 Dreamliner to suffer a fatal crash, despite the model’s strong safety record since its 2011 debut. Boeing issued a statement supporting the investigation but canceled CEO Kelly Ortberg’s Paris Air Show attendance.

London Gatwick Airport confirmed Flight AI171 was due to land at 6:25 PM local time, with CEO Stewart Wingate expressing condolences. The tragedy has drawn global attention, with condolences from leaders like Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

Ongoing Developments

Rescue teams with sniffer dogs continue combing the site, with authorities nearing completion of body recovery. The investigation, expected to take months, will scrutinize flight data, maintenance records, and crew actions. Families are urged to provide DNA samples for victim identification. For the latest updates on Air India Flight AI171 crash news, passenger details, and investigation progress, visit airindia.com or follow official X posts.