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- Air India Flight AI‑171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, on June 12, 2025, at approximately 1:38 PM IST. Just 30 seconds later, at about 650 ft altitude, it plunged into the campus of B.J. Medical College & Civil Hospital in Meghani Nagar and exploded.
- The aircraft carried 230 passengers and 12 crew; only one passenger survived—British-Indian national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, who escaped with minor injuries.
- It was the deadliest single-plane crash in India’s history, with 241 fatalities onboard and at least 28 ground fatalities, totaling nearly 269 deaths. Over 60 others were injured.
- Notably among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Investigation & Response
- A Mayday call was issued before all communication ceased, indicating a possible technical failure.
- Both black boxes (cockpit voice recorder & flight data recorder) have been recovered; DNA methods are aiding victim identification.
- Investigation involves India’s AAIB, with support from the UK’s AAIB, the US NTSB and FAA, Boeing, GE, and Tata Group.
Domestic & Global Reactions
- Prime Minister Modi expressed heartbreak and visited the crash site to meet injured and coordinate relief.
- King Charles III, UK PM Keir Starmer, and other global leaders offered condolences.
- Boeing and Tata Group/Air India are cooperating; Boeing’s CEO confirmed no known systemic issue with the 787 but pledged full support.
- The disaster has raised renewed scrutiny over the safety of the 787 Dreamliner, the first crash for that model in its 16-year operational history.
