The Sky Fell Quiet Over Ahmedabad

On June 12, 2025, tragedy struck when Air India Flight AI‑171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed mere seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad. The aircraft plowed into a doctors’ hostel near the airport, igniting sorrow across the country.

📍 Crash Summary

The flight departed at around 1:38 PM IST, ascending gradually before issuing a mayday call within a minute. It reached an altitude of approximately 625 feet before losing lift and falling into the Meghani Nagar area. Flames and thick smoke erupted on impact, sending shockwaves through residents and emergency teams alike.

⚠️ Human Toll and Heroism

Total onboard: 242 people (230 passengers, 12 crew).

Fatalities: 241 people onboard, plus around 38 individuals on the ground.

Miracle survivor: One passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, escaped with minor injuries.

Among the victims was Arjun Patoliya, a father returning to London after his wife’s final rites—leaving his two daughters orphaned.

Medical students, hostel residents, and families were among those affected at the crash site.

🔍 Rescue & Emergency Response

A VVIP fire crew, stationed near the airport, arrived first and helped extinguish the blaze rapidly.

Over 100 firefighting vehicles were deployed, along with ambulances and disaster teams.

Local hospitals scrambled to manage burn casualties and trauma cases.

Operations near the crash site and airport perimeter were sealed off to aid rescue efforts.

🔧 Ongoing Investigation

Authorities have retrieved the flight data recorder, with a cockpit voice recorder still pending.

A joint probe is underway, involving the DGCA, AAIB, international agencies, Boeing, and engine manufacturers.

Early focus areas include:

Engine thrust and possible failures.

Flap and landing-gear configuration (flaps may not have been fully extended).

External threats like bird strikes or mechanical faults.

A DGCA safety directive has been issued to inspect all Boeing 787‑8/9 Dreamliners in India.