An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12, 2025. The aircraft, en route to London Gatwick, came down in the Meghani Nagar district just minutes after departure, resulting in a large-scale emergency response and significant damage on the ground.
According to initial reports, the aircraft had 242 people on board, including 232 passengers and 10 crew members. The passengers included nationals from India, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Canada. Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion as the aircraft lost altitude and collided with structures in a densely populated residential area. Thick smoke and flames were seen rising from the crash site as emergency services rushed to the scene.
Air India confirmed the incident and stated that its crisis management teams had been activated to provide assistance to affected families. India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, expressed deep sorrow over the crash and confirmed that investigation teams had been immediately deployed. All flights at Ahmedabad airport were temporarily suspended following the accident.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the aircraft appeared to struggle with stability moments after takeoff. Radio contact was reportedly lost shortly after a distress signal was issued by the flight crew. Firefighters and medical teams worked for hours to control the blaze and search for survivors under the debris. Authorities have since cordoned off the impact zone to ensure safety and facilitate recovery efforts.
This tragedy marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 since the aircraft’s introduction in 2009. Aviation experts have pointed to the need for a thorough examination of technical records and flight data to determine the exact cause. Boeing has expressed its willingness to cooperate fully with the Indian authorities during the investigation process.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation confirmed that the aircraft’s black boxes have been recovered from the crash site. Preliminary analysis of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder is currently underway. Recovery teams continue to examine the wreckage and surrounding buildings to assess structural damage and verify the number of victims. Further official updates are expected as the investigation progresses.