On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, en route to London Gatwick. The horrifying accident claimed the lives of all 242 people onboard, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history.
The Aircraft and Crew
The ill-fated aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registered VT-ANB, part of Air India’s wide-body fleet. It had an impeccable safety record and was regularly maintained. On this flight, the plane was captained by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a senior pilot with over 8,200 flight hours, assisted by Co-Pilot Clive Kundar, who had clocked over 1,100 hours.
The Mayday Call
Shortly after takeoff, the pilots transmitted a “Mayday” call—an international distress signal derived from the French “venez m’aider”, meaning “come help me.” This alert is used in life-threatening emergencies and is taken with the utmost seriousness by air traffic controllers (ATC).
According to ATC transcripts, the mayday call was issued when the aircraft began experiencing multiple system failures after reaching an altitude of just 625 feet. The descent rate rapidly increased to over −475 feet per minute, and contact was lost moments later.
Crash Site: Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad
The aircraft crashed into a medical hostel building near BJ Medical College in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated residential and hospital district in Ahmedabad. A massive fire broke out, fueled by over 100,000 liters of aviation fuel, as the Dreamliner was still in the initial climb phase and fully loaded.
Fire brigades, 130 Indian Army personnel, NDRF, and paramedics rushed to the scene. Despite heroic efforts, there were no survivors among the 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Additional ground casualties were reported, including medical students and staff inside the building the plane struck.
Victims and Passenger Demographics
The flight carried a diverse passenger list:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British citizens
- 7 Portuguese
- 1 Canadian
Among the deceased were doctors, students, business travelers, and entire families heading to the UK for the summer holiday season.
Political Figures and Rumors
Early reports led to speculation that former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani was on board, which went viral on social media. However, officials confirmed that Rupani was not a passenger and is safe. Still, multiple unverified social media posts wrongly claimed that he had died in the crash.
Investigation and Global Coordination
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched an immediate investigation, in coordination with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and representatives from Boeing. The black boxes—Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—have been recovered and sent to Delhi for analysis.
Given that this is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NTSB (U.S.) are expected to assist. Boeing has expressed condolences and pledged full technical cooperation.
Market Reaction
News of the crash sent Boeing’s stock tumbling by nearly 4% in early U.S. market trading. Air India’s parent company, Tata Sons, also witnessed a decline in sentiment, although the stock impact was more muted.
National and Global Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered deep condolences and ordered an immediate compensation and inquiry package. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also released a statement mourning the British citizens lost and offered to send aviation experts to assist in the probe.
The Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu visited the site and announced a nationwide safety audit of all Dreamliner aircraft operating in India.
Media and Public Attention
The tragedy dominated national and international headlines. News platforms like BBC, Times Now, India Today, and NDTV provided wall-to-wall coverage. Social media was flooded with grief, condolences, and calls for better aviation safety oversight.
Timeline Summary
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 1:38 PM IST | Flight AI171 departs Ahmedabad for London |
| 1:41 PM IST | Mayday call issued; rapid descent begins |
| 1:43 PM IST | Aircraft crashes in Meghani Nagar |
| 1:44 PM IST | ATC loses all communication |
| 2:00 PM IST+ | Fire, smoke, and chaos; rescue ops launched |
Understanding Mayday Calls in Aviation
A Mayday call is used to alert authorities to a life-threatening emergency—engine failure, fire, loss of control, or other critical malfunctions. It is more severe than a “pan-pan” call, which signals urgency but not immediate danger.
In this case, aviation experts believe the pilots acted appropriately, trying to communicate with ATC while managing a rapidly deteriorating situation.
Final Thoughts
The Ahmedabad plane crash of Air India AI171 has left a deep scar on the nation’s collective memory. While the cause remains under investigation, one thing is clear: the lives lost—fathers, mothers, children, professionals—are a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the need for constant vigilance in aviation safety.
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