The Air India Ahmedabad plane crash has left a nation in mourning after Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, plummeted into a medical hostel just seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025. The disaster killed at least 265 people—including all 241 passengers and crew onboard except one miraculously surviving passenger—and dozens on the ground in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. As investigators recover critical evidence, including one of the aircraft’s “black boxes,” this incident marks India’s deadliest aviation tragedy in over 25 years and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its 2011 debut
Key Facts: Air India Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Table 1: Overview of Flight AI171
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight & Aircraft | Air India AI171, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registered VT-ANB) |
| Route | Ahmedabad (AMD) → London Gatwick (LGW) |
| Crash Time & Location | June 12, 2025, 1:39 PM local time; 1.5 km SW of Ahmedabad Airport |
| Onboard | 242 people (217 adults, 11 children, 2 infants, 12 crew) |
| Survivors | 1 passenger (Vishwash Kumar Ramesh) |
| Ground Casualties | At least 23 confirmed (medical students/staff) |
The Final Moments: A Struggle for Altitude
The Air India Ahmedabad plane crash unfolded with horrifying speed. Flight tracking data showed the plane reaching just 625 feet (190 meters) before rapidly descending at 475 feet per minute. Eyewitness videos and CCTV footage revealed the aircraft’s nose pitched upward, landing gear inexplicably deployed, and flaps retracted—an abnormal configuration for post-takeoff ascent. Experts noted these anomalies likely crippled lift generation in Ahmedabad’s 40°C (104°F) heat, a critical factor for aircraft performance.
Pilots issued a mayday call moments after takeoff, but the jet slammed into the BJ Medical College hostel, igniting a fireball visible across the city. The tail section lodged into the building’s roof, while the fuselage shattered across the complex, scattering wreckage and bodies
The Sole Survivor: “I Don’t Know How I’m Alive”
British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated at 11A near an emergency exit, survived the Air India Ahmedabad plane crash with minor burns and injuries. In a hospital interview, he described:
“Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise… The plane crashed, and I woke up surrounded by bodies. I kicked open a door and crawled out.”.
Ramesh’s brother, Ajay, remains missing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ramesh in the hospital, calling his survival “miraculous”
Investigation: Black Box Recovered, Human Error Suspected
Authorities recovered one black box (flight data or cockpit voice recorder) from the Air India Ahmedabad plane crash site, though its type remains unspecified. Early expert analyses suggest possible pilot error:
Landing gear down/flaps retracted: Unusual for climb phase, reducing lift.
Bird strike or engine failure: Deemed unlikely by aviation safety experts.
Whistleblower history: A 2024 complaint alleged Boeing 787 manufacturing shortcuts, though disputed by the FAA.
The U.S. NTSB, UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Boeing, and GE Aerospace (engine manufacturer) are assisting India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau
Human Toll: DNA Tests for Identification
The Air India Ahmedabad plane crash left bodies “charred beyond recognition,” forcing families to provide DNA samples at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Among the victims:
Vijay Rupani, former Gujarat Chief Minister.
Medical students/staff: Dozens killed in the hostel during lunch.
International passengers: 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian.
Table 2: Passenger Nationalities Onboard
| Nationality | Count |
|---|---|
| Indian | 169 |
| British | 53 |
| Portuguese | 7 |
| Canadian | 1 |
Grieving relatives like Sangeeta Gauswami, whose 19-year-old son Sanket died, shared their anguish:
“We’ve had no news… No one will tell us anything”
Global Response and Air India’s Crisis
The Air India Ahmedabad plane crash triggered international condolences, with U.K. PM Keir Starmer calling scenes “devastating” and King Charles receiving updates. Air India’s parent company, Tata Group, pledged ₹10 million (£86,000) to each victim’s family and medical cost coverage for injured survivors.
Boeing’s shares fell 5–7% following the crash—a blow amid recent safety crises. CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled his Paris Air Show appearance to address the disaster
Conclusion: A Long Path to Answers
As rescue teams with sniffer dogs comb the wreckage for the second black box and more victims, the Air India Ahmedabad plane crash investigation could take months. For families awaiting DNA matches and aviation experts seeking truths, this tragedy underscores the fragile line between routine travel and catastrophe. Modi’s words resonate: “The devastation is heartbreaking beyond words”.
For continued coverage of the Air India Ahmedabad plane crash investigation, follow reliable news updates and official statements from Indian aviation authorities.
