In a devastating blow to Indian aviation, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing over 240 people, including civilians on the ground. The incident marks one of the deadliest air disasters in Indian history.
The flight, which took off at approximately 1:36 PM, encountered immediate difficulties. Within minutes, the pilot issued a Mayday call, and radar data shows the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude, plunging from around 625 feet before crashing into Meghani Nagar, a densely populated residential area near BJ Medical College.
The crash engulfed the area in flames and thick smoke. According to authorities, 230 passengers and 12 crew members were on board, with five civilians on the ground also confirmed dead. Only one survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, was pulled from the wreckage and is recovering in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His miraculous escape has stunned rescue officials.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of horror. “It felt like an earthquake. The building shook, then there was fire everywhere,” said Mehul Shah, a resident near the crash site. The hostel complex within the medical college compound was hit directly, compounding the destruction.
Major Investigation Launched Into Possible Mechanical Failure
A multi-agency investigation has been ordered, involving the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer. Early signs point to a possible mechanical failure, potentially involving the flaps or engines, though officials caution that human error or systemic faults have not been ruled out.
The aircraft’s Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) were quickly recovered and have been sent to New Delhi for analysis. India has also reached out to the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch for assistance, given the number of British nationals on board.
Aircraft and Operational Background
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with tail number VT-ANB, was inducted into Air India’s fleet in 2016. It had passed a routine maintenance check just five weeks ago, raising concerns over a sudden and unforeseen malfunction. This incident is the first-ever fatal crash involving the Dreamliner model globally since its commercial launch in 2011.
Official Responses and Compensation
Air India, now operated by the Tata Group, expressed deep condolences and assured full support for families of the victims. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran stated the airline will provide immediate ex-gratia compensation, grief counseling, and logistical support to next of kin.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy a “national calamity” and has directed the Civil Aviation Ministry to supervise rescue and relief operations. Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu announced a technical audit task force to review Air India’s fleet safety and training protocols.
Under the Montreal Convention, families of each deceased passenger are entitled to compensation up to ₹1.1 crore (~$140,000), with additional legal and insurance-based settlements possible. Relief camps and DNA identification centers have been set up at Ahmedabad Airport and Civil Hospital to support grieving families.
Impact on Indian Aviation and Safety Measures
This crash is the worst aviation disaster in India since the 2020 Kozhikode runway accident, and the most severe involving a wide-body jet since the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision. Aviation analysts are now demanding a full-scale review of flight safety systems, emergency crew preparedness, and urban air corridor regulations near airports.
As investigations continue, this tragedy is expected to have far-reaching implications for India’s aviation safety policies and Air India’s operational scrutiny. The global aviation community is watching closely, as India begins to piece together the factors that led to this catastrophic loss of life.
