Ahmedabad – A major aviation tragedy struck India on Thursday afternoon as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed just after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM IST. The ill-fated aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed into the densely populated Meghani Nagar locality, sending thick plumes of black smoke across the skyline.
Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose presence on the flight has drawn nationwide attention. His condition remains unconfirmed at this time. Government sources indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the situation, having sought hourly updates from aviation and disaster management officials.
The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, had earlier flown from Delhi to Ahmedabad on the same day, according to Flightradar24 data. At the controls was Captain Sumit Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours in the cockpit.
MAYDAY Call and Sudden Silence
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the plane issued a MAYDAY distress call shortly after takeoff from Runway 23, but lost contact moments later. The aircraft breached the airport perimeter and crashed into a medical college mess building in Meghani Nagar. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and officials have yet to determine whether a mechanical failure, bird strike, or other in-flight emergency led to the disaster.
On-Ground Response and Rescue
Emergency services acted swiftly, with seven fire engines, multiple ambulances, and NDRF personnel deployed to the crash site. Visuals from the scene show charred wreckage, ongoing fires, and rescue workers battling dense smoke to recover survivors and control the blaze.
Air India issued an official statement via social media platform X, confirming:
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. We are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”
National Attention and Ongoing Investigation
As the nation reels from the shock, DGCA teams have arrived at the site and launched a detailed probe. The aircraft’s black box (Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder) will be key in piecing together the sequence of events that led to the crash.
Prime Minister Modi has instructed the Ministry of Civil Aviation to coordinate closely with Air India, DGCA, and local authorities to provide immediate relief and transparent updates. The Gujarat government has also declared emergency protocols in hospitals around Ahmedabad.
The full extent of casualties and injuries is yet to be confirmed. Rescue operations are ongoing, and updates are expected in the next official briefing.
