Ahmedabad Air India Crash is one of Aviation Historys worst Disaster
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport en route to London Gatwick. The aircraft, carrying 242 individuals—including 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian—lost signal just 625 feet above ground level, plummeting into a residential area in Meghaninagar.
The crash resulted in widespread devastation, including the destruction of a medical students’ hostel and BJ Medical College. The sole survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was seated in 11A, next to an emergency exit. He managed to escape moments before the crash, while his brother, also on board, did not survive. The incident has been described as the deadliest single-aircraft crash in Indian aviation history and the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that a MAYDAY call was issued shortly after takeoff, suggesting a possible engine failure, bird strike, or mechanical error. The aircraft’s final recorded altitude was just 625 feet, and it lost signal moments thereafter.
In addition to the DGCA’s efforts, international aviation authorities, including the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), have been called upon to assist in the investigation. One of the aircraft’s black boxes has been recovered, and forensic teams are conducting DNA testing to identify the victims. The crash has elicited widespread grief and solidarity from around the world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, calling the incident “heartbreaking.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump also offered their sympathies and pledged support for the investigation. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced financial compensation for the victims’ families and is providing medical assistance to the injured.This tragedy underscores ongoing concerns about aviation safety, particularly regarding the maintenance and operational readiness of aircraft. A passenger aboard a prior flight on the same aircraft reported multiple technical issues, including inoperable air conditioning and non-functioning entertainment systems, raising questions about the aircraft’s condition before the fatal flight.
The crash also highlights the challenges faced by Indian aviation in ensuring safety and reliability. While the 2011–2020 decade was the safest in India’s aviation history, with only the Kozhikode 2020 crash causing fatalities, the Ahmedabad tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for continuous vigilance and improvement in safety protocols. The crash of Air India Flight AI171 is a devastating event that has left a deep scar in the annals of Indian aviation. As investigations continue, the focus remains on determining the exact cause of the crash and implementing measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. The resilience and unity displayed by the affected communities and the support from international partners offer a glimmer of hope in the face of this profound loss.
