Egypt Daily News – An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick has crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat, resulting in significant casualties. The aircraft, carrying 244 people, came down in the densely populated Meghani area of the city shortly after departing at approximately 1:38 PM local time.
According to early reports, the aircraft operating as Flight AI171, plummeted just minutes after departure, with debris from the fuselage and tail section seen lodged in a partially destroyed building. Emergency services are conducting extensive search and rescue operations, though initial images from the crash site suggest a devastating loss of life.
Among the deceased are several medical students, tragically killed when portions of the aircraft struck accommodations housing trainee doctors at BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital. Visuals from the scene depict remnants of the jet embedded in the side of a canteen, with plates of food still visible on the tables.
A senior police official stated that approximately 70–80% of the affected area had been cleared and efforts were ongoing.
India’s Ministry of Health confirmed that “many lives have been lost,” though specific numbers remain unverified. As of 11:30 AM UK time, rescue workers have recovered at least 30 bodies from damaged structures in the vicinity.
Eyewitness footage shared on social media shows thick plumes of smoke rising from the wreckage as fire crews worked to extinguish flames. One video appears to show the aircraft descending at a steep angle with landing gear extended, moments before a massive fireball erupted.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicates the aircraft reached an altitude of just 625 feet before it began its descent. The transponder signal reportedly disappeared within seconds of takeoff.
“We received the last signal from the aircraft at 08:08:51 UTC,” Flightradar24 stated.
The passenger manifest listed 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, one Canadian, and seven Portuguese nationals on board.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the aircraft issued a mayday call shortly before the crash. Both pilots were reported to be highly experienced: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal had logged over 8,200 flight hours, while First Officer Clive Kundar had over 1,100 hours.
Lt. Col. John R. Davidson, a former U.S. Air Force pilot and aviation safety expert, characterized the flight data as “highly irregular.”
“To be at 625 feet and over 170 knots more than four minutes after takeoff is unusual,” he said. “This could indicate a delayed rotation or a post-liftoff stall. Potential contributing factors might include engine thrust loss, improper aircraft configuration, excessive weight, or a critical systems failure. Weather and bird strike remain plausible scenarios.”
Former airline pilot Saurabh Bhatnagar suggested a bird strike may have caused both engines to fail: “It appears to be a case of multiple bird hits that resulted in total engine power loss. The descent seems controlled, which would align with such a failure shortly after takeoff.”
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his condolences, stating: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic crash of AI171. The UK is in contact with Indian authorities to ascertain the facts and offer all necessary support. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the images “devastating,” and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words.” Modi has directed all relevant agencies to provide immediate assistance.
Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran issued a formal statement:
“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 was involved in a tragic accident. Our thoughts are with all affected families. We are working closely with emergency responders and doing everything in our power to provide support.”
Ahmedabad Airport has suspended all operations following the incident. Weather conditions at the time were reportedly stable, with clear skies and low wind speeds of approximately 7 knots (8 mph).
Aviation lawyer Peter Neenan of Stewarts Law noted that formal investigations will involve the Indian DGCA, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and potentially the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) given the number of British casualties.
“These investigations typically take two years or more,” said Neenan. “Legal proceedings could involve Air India and possibly Boeing, depending on the findings.”
India’s Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed shock and confirmed that all emergency agencies are mobilized:
“Rescue operations are underway, and medical teams have been deployed to the site. I am personally monitoring the situation.”
The Director General of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is en route to the crash site with a team of specialists, according to the Times of India.
In a brief statement on social media, Air India confirmed:
“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an incident on 12 June 2025. Details are being verified, and further updates will follow.”
According to the Aviation Safety Network, this is believed to be the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a twin-engine widebody aircraft introduced in 2009. More than 1,000 Dreamliners are in service globally.
The crash follows a string of recent incidents involving Boeing aircraft, including a January crash of a Boeing 737 in South Korea and previous disasters involving the 737 MAX. Boeing shares fell 8% in premarket trading following the news. The company stated it is gathering information and cooperating with authorities.
The accident occurs just days before the Paris Air Show, a major industry event at which Boeing and Airbus are set to unveil their latest developments.
