Air India Boeing 787-8 Crashes After Takeoff in Ahmedabad — Investigation Underway

Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 —
In a rare and tragic accident, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff today, leading to a large-scale emergency response and triggering a high-level investigation.

Aircraft Details

The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, registration VT-ANB, one of Air India’s long-haul flagship jets. The Dreamliner is globally recognised for its cutting-edge design, combining fuel efficiency with advanced passenger comfort and operational safety.

Key Specifications of the Boeing 787-8:

• Construction: 50% composite carbon fibre-reinforced polymer, reducing weight and improving fuel economy.

• Capacity: 242–290 passengers (depending on configuration).

• Range: 13,530 km (7,305 nautical miles).

• Cabin Comfort: Lower cabin altitude (6,000 ft), larger dimmable windows, higher humidity, and advanced air filtration.

• Noise Reduction: Next-generation noise reduction systems.

• Safety Systems: Fly-by-wire controls with triple redundancy, advanced avionics, reinforced cockpit doors, and full evacuation slide systems.

As the first model in Boeing’s Dreamliner family, the 787-8 has maintained an excellent global safety record until today’s accident.

Timeline of Events:

• Departure: Flight AI171 departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM IST.

• Occupants: 230 passengers and 12 crew members (including two pilots).

• Flight Crew: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 flight hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 flight hours).

• Emergency Call: Moments after takeoff from runway 23, the pilots issued a MAYDAY call to Air Traffic Control. No further communication was received.

• Flight Path: The aircraft briefly climbed to approximately 625 feet altitude at a speed of 174 knots before entering a rapid, uncontrolled descent.

• Crash Site: The aircraft crashed in the Meghani (Meghaninagar) area, just beyond the airport perimeter, impacting a densely populated residential neighbourhood.

Immediate Aftermath:

• Emergency Response: Fire services, ambulances, and police units arrived on the scene within minutes. The Indian Air Force and Army were also deployed to assist.

• Rescue Operations: Survivors were quickly evacuated and transported to nearby hospitals. Casualty details remain unconfirmed at this hour.

• Flight Operations Suspended: Ahmedabad airport temporarily suspended all flight operations following the crash.

• Eyewitness Accounts: Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the crash site, visible for several kilometres around the city.

Official Response:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally spoke with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who has taken direct charge of rescue and relief efforts. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has dispatched an accident investigation team to the site.

Air India issued an official statement confirming the accident and pledged full cooperation with investigators, while promising to share further updates as verified information becomes available.

Notable Passengers:

Among those onboard was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, though his condition remains unconfirmed as of this report.

Investigation and Outlook:

The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. Aviation experts stress that crashes involving the Boeing 787- 8 are extremely rare due to its advanced safety systems and global track record. Both black boxes (Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder) will be critical in piecing together the chain of events that led to today’s tragedy.

The situation remains highly fluid, with ongoing rescue operations and an active investigation.

This story will be updated as more official information becomes available.

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