- Admin
- Jun 13, 2025
- News
Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Near Ahmedabad: 269 Dead, Lone Survivor Identified
In one of India’s worst aviation disasters, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed on June 12, 2025, just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport. The London-bound aircraft went down in the Meghani Nagar area, crashing into the BJ Medical College hostel, leaving 269 people dead, including passengers, crew, and residents on the ground.
The crash occurred within 30 seconds of takeoff, with the plane failing to gain altitude and rapidly descending before issuing a Mayday call and vanishing from radar.
What We Know So Far
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Flight No.: AI171
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Route: Ahmedabad (AMD) → London Gatwick (LGW)
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Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB)
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Time of Crash: 1:39 PM IST, June 12, 2025
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Casualties:
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Passengers and Crew: 241 dead
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Ground Fatalities: 28
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Total Fatalities: 269
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Survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (seat 11A)
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How It Happened
Eyewitnesses and aviation authorities confirm that the plane appeared unstable during takeoff, never exceeding 625 feet in altitude, and still had its landing gear deployed. It clipped a building before plunging into a densely populated medical hostel, triggering a massive explosion and fire.
Authorities confirmed the aircraft sent a Mayday distress call moments before losing contact. The black boxes have been recovered and are under forensic analysis by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and international agencies including the NTSB (USA) and UK AAIB.
🇮🇳 Government & Emergency Response
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site and met survivors and families at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah coordinated national emergency efforts including NDRF, fire services, and forensic teams.
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Rescue operations went on through the night to recover bodies and control fires.
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Air India and Tata Group announced ₹1 crore compensation for each deceased victim’s family and full coverage of treatment for survivors.
Ongoing Investigation
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A joint investigation is underway by AAIB, NTSB, FAA, UK AAIB, and Boeing.
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Preliminary indications suggest potential engine failure or software malfunction, though official causes will be revealed after the black box analysis.
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International aviation bodies are observing closely due to the aircraft model (Dreamliner) and magnitude of the disaster.
Broader Impact
This crash marks the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its launch and the deadliest air disaster in India in over a decade. Global concerns are growing about safety protocols, emergency pilot training, and takeoff response systems.
Stock prices for Boeing and Air India experienced immediate dips, and all 787 aircrafts operated by Air India are currently undergoing precautionary inspections.
Remembering the Lives Lost
With 269 lives lost, this tragedy is being mourned across India and internationally. Vigils have been held in Gujarat, Delhi, and London. Civil society groups have called for better aviation safety reforms and more transparent accountability in the aviation industry.
Final Thoughts
This devastating event has shaken India’s aviation system and exposed urgent gaps in airline safety, emergency handling, and aircraft technology response. As the world waits for the full investigation report, families are grieving, and the nation stands united in remembering the victims.
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