For further updates, families can contact : --
Air India’s dedicated helpline numbers: 1800 5691 444, 011-24610843, 9650391859
Detailed Report: Air India Flight Crash at Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Fatalities: 241 confirmed dead (including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, five MBBS students, one PG resident doctor, and the wife of a superspecialist doctor from BJ Medical College)
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Incident Overview
On June 12, 2025, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, shortly after takeoff in route to London Gatwick. The crash is among the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history, resulting in at least 241 fatalities out of 242 people on board, with only one survivor.
Flight and Crash Details
Flight: Air India AI171 (Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration VT-ANB)
Departure: Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
Time of Incident: Approximately 1:38 pm IST, June 12, 2025
Onboard: 230 passengers, 10 crew, 2 pilots (total 242)
Nationalities: 169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian
Crew: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 flying hours), First Officer Clive Kunder (1,100 flying hours)
The aircraft crashed less than a minute after takeoff, falling from a height of about 625–825 feet.
It failed to gain altitude, sent out a "mayday" distress call, then lost all contact with air traffic control before slamming into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College doctors in the Meghani Nagar area.
The plane exploded into a massive fireball, with thick black smoke visible for miles.
Casualties and Survivors
Injuries: Over 60 medical students injured; additional casualties reported among people on the ground as the plane struck buildings within the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital compound
Sole Survivor: A British national of Indian origin, seated in 11A, currently hospitalized and reported to be stable
Eyewitness Accounts and Immediate Response
Videos captured the plane flying low, struggling to gain altitude, and then crashing and exploding.
Emergency services, including at least two dozen ambulances, responded swiftly, transporting the injured to hospitals
Many bodies were charred beyond recognition, complicating identification efforts
Technical and Operational Issues
Passengers on the same aircraft earlier that day reported malfunctioning air conditioning, non-functional call lights, and inoperative in-flight entertainment systems, suggesting possible technical faults
The aircraft was loaded with fuel for the long-haul flight, contributing to the intensity of the post-crash fire
Investigation and Official Response
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India have launched a full investigation, with assistance from US and UK investigators
The search for the black box (flight data and cockpit voice recorders) is ongoing
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have expressed condolences and are monitoring the situation
Air India has established helplines for affected families
Probable Causes (Preliminary Observations)
Aviation experts have cited possible lack of thrust in both engines or a bird strike as potential causes, though the exact reason remains under investigation
The crash is notable as the first major accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in India
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight | Air India AI171 (Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner) |
| Route | Ahmedabad → London Gatwick |
| Date/Time | June 12, 2025 / ~1:38 pm IST |
| Onboard | 242 (230 passengers, 12 crew) |
| Fatalities | 241 (including ex-CM Vijay Rupani, medical students, hospital staff) |
| Survivor | 1 British national of Indian origin |
| Crash Site | Meghani Nagar, BJ Medical College residential quarters |
| Cause (preliminary) | Suspected engine thrust loss or bird strike; investigation ongoing |
| Response | High-level probe, international assistance, helplines established |
Key Takeaways
The Air India AI171 crash is one of the worst aviation disasters in India, with 241 fatalities and extensive damage on the ground.
The cause is under investigation, with technical faults and possible bird strike being considered
Rescue and identification efforts are ongoing, with national and international support for the probe.
For further updates, families can contact : -
Air India’s dedicated helpline numbers: 1800 5691 444, 011-24610843, 9650391859
