Tragedy Strikes Ahmedabad: Air India Dreamliner Crashes Moments After Takeoff, 242 Onboard

AHMEDABAD, INDIA – June 12, 2025 – A pall of grief and shock has descended upon Ahmedabad today, as Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed tragically shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD). The incident, which occurred around 1:38 PM IST, has sent shockwaves across the nation and the international community.

The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, a total of 242 individuals, reportedly went down in the densely populated Meghani Nagar residential area, just beyond the airport's perimeter. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a massive plume of thick black smoke rising from the crash site, visible from miles away, indicating a large-scale fire. Horrifying videos circulating online capture the moment the Boeing 787 Dreamliner struggled to gain altitude before descending rapidly and impacting the ground.

A Flight to London Ends in Disaster

Flight AI171 had departed from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft's crew issued a "MAYDAY" call almost immediately after takeoff, but thereafter, all communication was lost. The plane crashed approximately five minutes after departure, having only gained an altitude of about 625 feet.

Sources indicate that the ill-fated aircraft, registration VT-ANB, had recently undergone refurbishing, and initial observations suggest a possible engineering issue may have been a contributing factor. However, the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other relevant agencies.

Air India Dreamliner Crashes Moments After Takeoff, 242 Onboard

Passenger and Crew Manifest Confirmed

Air India has confirmed the passenger breakdown:

• 169 Indian nationals

• 53 British nationals

• 7 Portuguese nationals

• 1 Canadian national

The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a highly experienced Line Training Captain (LTC) with 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours of flying experience. There were two pilots and ten cabin crew members on board.

Massive Rescue and Relief Operation Underway

Emergency services, including fire tenders, ambulances, and police units, swiftly responded to the scene. Due to the aircraft's full fuel load for the long-haul flight, the impact resulted in a massive fire, complicating rescue efforts. Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising approximately 90 personnel, were immediately deployed from Gandhinagar, with three more teams being mobilized from Vadodara.

Injured individuals are being transported to the nearest hospitals, and authorities are working diligently to ascertain the full extent of casualties. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has directed authorities to conduct rescue and relief operations on a war footing and ensure immediate treatment for the injured. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also spoken with the Chief Minister and other state officials, assuring full central government support.

Airport Operations Suspended, Hotlines Activated

All flights out of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been suspended until further notice, causing significant disruption to air travel. Air India has set up a dedicated passenger hotline number (1800 5691 444) to provide information and support to affected families. Control rooms have also been activated in Delhi (011-24610843 | 9650391859) and Ahmedabad (9978405304 | 079-23251900).

This tragic event marks a grim day for Indian aviation and the global aviation industry. As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on search and rescue efforts, providing support to the victims' families, and determining the precise factors that led to this devastating accident.