A devastating aviation disaster unfolded on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, India, as Air India Flight AI-171 crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all 242 passengers and crew aboard. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner was bound for London Gatwick when it encountered catastrophic issues just minutes after leaving the runway.
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who was in command of the aircraft, issued a desperate Mayday call—”Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”—the most critical distress signal in aviation, moments before contact with Air Traffic Control was lost. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), no further communication followed. At approximately 1:39 p.m. IST, the aircraft plummeted into the densely populated Meghani Nagar neighborhood, igniting a massive fire and sending columns of thick smoke into the air.
Emergency responders raced to the scene, but the impact and ensuing fire left no survivors. The crash site, a tragic tableau of twisted metal and charred wreckage, included a nearby building pierced by the aircraft’s tail cone. Firefighters battled flames fueled by a full tank of jet fuel, while water was also sprayed on adjacent multistory structures to prevent the fire from spreading.
The flight carried a diverse mix of nationalities, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Tragically, the aircraft struck the dining hall of a local medical college, killing at least five students on the ground and injuring 50 others, some critically. Relief operations were launched immediately, supported by Indian Army teams helping clear debris and assist survivors.
Data from Flightradar24 showed that the aircraft was stationary at 1:30 p.m., began taxiing by 1:34 p.m., and took off at 1:38 p.m., reaching an altitude of only 625 feet before disappearing from radar.
World leaders reacted with shock and sympathy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy “heartbreaking beyond words,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III also extended their deepest condolences. British Minister Lucy Powell addressed Parliament, assuring that both the U.K. and Indian governments would support affected families.
Aviation experts noted that this is the first recorded crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its commercial debut in 2009. Boeing confirmed it was cooperating fully with Indian authorities and investigators. Consultant John M. Cox highlighted early clues that the aircraft might have stalled shortly after takeoff—a theory to be examined once the black boxes are recovered.
The incident drew grim parallels to earlier Indian aviation tragedies, including the 2020 crash in Kerala that claimed 21 lives and the 1996 midair collision over Haryana that killed 349 people.
This crash, coming just days before the Paris Air Show, has reignited scrutiny over aviation safety, particularly for next-generation aircraft. As investigators work to determine what went wrong, the global aviation community stands in mourning and solidarity.
To the families, friends, and communities affected by this terrible loss, we extend our deepest sympathies. May the memories of those lost endure, and may the truth bring some measure of peace.
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