On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck when Air India AI171 crash Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight was heading to London Gatwick Airport, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Within 30 seconds of liftoff, the aircraft lost altitude and slammed into the hostel and canteen block of B.J. Medical College in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area in Ahmedabad.
The impact
The impact was devastating. The rear of the aircraft got stuck into the second floor of the boys’ hostel, while the front section hit the canteen where students and staff were having lunch. This tragic accident has now become one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Indian history, taking the lives of 269 people 241 on board and 28 on the ground.
Casualties
Out of the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived. A British national seated in row 11A managed to make it out of the wreckage alive and is currently undergoing treatment. The rest of the 241 people, including both pilots and cabin crew, lost their lives in the crash.
Survivors
On the ground, 28 people were killed instantly, and about 60 others were injured, many of them students and medical staff present at the canteen during the lunch hour.
This horrifying event has left families broken and a nation in mourning. The sudden loss of so many innocent lives has shocked people across India and the world.
What Went Wrong?
Investigators from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have launched a full-scale investigation. The black box and cockpit voice recorder have already been recovered, and a team from Boeing, GE Aerospace, and UK’s AAIB are also assisting in the inquiry.
While it’s too early for official conclusions, experts have identified a few possible causes:
- Loss of engine thrust or power failure
- Technical malfunction during takeoff
- Bird strike or object ingestion into the engines
- Pilot error or wrong flap/gear settings
Interestingly, weather was not a factor in the crash. Visibility was clear, and the aircraft had passed all pre-flight checks. Therefore, the exact reason for the sudden loss of altitude remains a mystery until more evidence is analyzed.
This is also the first-ever fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has otherwise had a strong safety record globally.
Eyewitness Testimonies
Locals had told of the impact being like an earthquake. The crash was very loud and rattled surrounding buildings. Relatives poured out into the streets to assist, yanking survivors from the engulfed wreckage even before rescue squads turned up.
Students of B.J. Medical College were also observed assisting rescue efforts with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigades, and local police. Hospitals around the region were soon mobilized, and emergency squads worked through the night searching for survivors and recovering corpses.
Government Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Gujarat at the time, visited the site of the crash and the hospitals treating the injured. In a public statement, he said the incident was “heartbreaking beyond words” and offered condolences to the victims’ families.
The government has promised full compensation to affected families and has directed Air India to cover all medical and logistical costs. Over 1,000 DNA samples are being collected to help identify the deceased and return their remains to their families.
Families Traveling Together: A Shared Loss
Most on Flight AI171 were families parents and children, elderly couples, and newlywed couples—travelling back to the UK or to abroad for work and studies. The Patel family from Anand, who were on their way back after a wedding and a honeymoon couple from Surat, who had just got married, are among the killed. Bereaved relatives who had just said goodbye are mourning unbelievable loss now. Some families waited at the airport with no inkling about the crash, only to be given the horrific news hours later.
A Setback for Air India
Air India, now owned by Tata Group since 2022, has been going through a massive transformation. New aircraft, better customer service, and improved safety standards were part of its rebranding efforts. This crash is a major blow to those plans and will likely lead to increased scrutiny on its fleet, training protocols, and emergency readiness.
The airline has grounded similar aircraft for detailed inspection, and flight routes using Dreamliners are being temporarily reviewed.
Final Thoughts
Air India Flight AI171 crash is not only a tragedy—it’s an eye-opener. The fact that 269 people, young students, professionals, and families, perished cannot be left out of our minds. The sole survivor’s tale is one of hope, but at the same time, it reminds us how vulnerable human life can become when something goes awry in the air.
With further investigations going on, the key is to learn, do, and make sure that no such tragedy can ever occur in the future.
