On June 12, 2025, the city of Ahmedabad, India, became the scene of one of the most devastating air disasters in recent decades. Air India Flight AI-171, operated by a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just seconds after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport en route to London Gatwick.
There were 242 people on board: 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Tragically, 241 lost their lives, including all crew members. The sole survivor was a British citizen who managed to escape through an emergency exit moments before the final impact.
The aircraft collided with a nearby building, specifically a dormitory of B.J. Medical College, triggering an explosion followed by a fire. At least 33 people on the ground also died as a result of the crash.
Security cameras captured the moment of the incident: after a brief ascent, the plane rapidly lost altitude and crashed with its landing gear still extended. Authorities confirmed that the crew issued a “mayday” call just 17 seconds after takeoff.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), in collaboration with experts from the United States and the United Kingdom, has recovered the black box and launched a comprehensive investigation. Initial lines of inquiry point to possible mechanical failures, including issues with engine thrust or improper flap configuration. The fact that the landing gear remained extended is also considered a key indicator of a technical malfunction.
This accident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its commercial debut in 2011, and the deadliest aviation disaster in India in nearly three decades. The Tata Group, owner of Air India, has announced financial compensation and comprehensive support for the victims’ families.
While official investigation results are pending, civil aviation authorities have ordered urgent inspections of all Boeing 787 aircraft operating with GEnx engines, both in India and on international routes.
The nation and the global aviation community are in mourning over this massive loss, awaiting clear answers to understand what happened and to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
