Air India Flight AI171 Crashes Near Ahmedabad Airport

On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, tragically crashed shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.

The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick and carried 242 people,

including 169 Indian nationals,

53 British citizens,

seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian.

All but one passenger perished in the disaster. The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, managed to escape through an emergency exit and is currently recovering in a hospital .

The crash occurred approximately 30 seconds after takeoff during the aircraft's initial climb phase. Eyewitnesses from the Meghani Nagar area reported hearing multiple explosions and observing thick plumes of smoke as the plane crashed into a student hostel building of B.J. Medical College located within the Civil Hospital campus. The aircraft's partially intact stabilizers and tail cone were found on the rooftop of the hostel mess building .

The crash resulted in significant casualties among passengers, crew, and hostel residents. The temperature at the crash site reportedly rose to around 1,000 degrees Celsius due to the aircraft's full fuel tanks, hampering rescue operations and leaving little chance for survival .

🛫 Flight Overview

Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB)
Route: Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport) to London Gatwick
Takeoff Time: 1:38 PM IST
Altitude at Signal Loss: 625 feet
Flight Duration Before Crash: Approximately 30 seconds
Weather Conditions: Clear visibility, stable weather

📦 Investigation and Recovery

Authorities have recovered one of the aircraft's black boxes, which contains the Flight Data Recorder and Cockpit Voice Recorder. This discovery is expected to aid in the ongoing investigation led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The investigation is focusing on potential faults in the engine, flaps, and landing gear, as well as possible pilot error or misconfiguration during takeoff .

In response to the tragedy, Air India has initiated special relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad for the next of kin of passengers and airline staff .

While the official inquiry led by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is ongoing, several theories have been proposed based on available data and expert analysis.

Preliminary Findings and Expert Theories

Engine Thrust Loss: Investigators are examining the possibility of a significant loss of engine thrust shortly after takeoff. This could have led to a stall if the aircraft was unable to maintain sufficient speed and altitude.
Flap Configuration Error: Aviation experts suggest that a potential pilot error involving the retraction of wing flaps instead of the landing gear could have compromised the aircraft's lift. This theory is based on observations of the aircraft's performance during the initial climb.
Maintenance Oversight: Reports indicate that the aircraft experienced technical issues on a previous flight, including malfunctioning air conditioning and non-functional display screens. These issues were reportedly dismissed by the cabin crew as minor glitches, raising concerns about potential maintenance oversights.
Sabotage Speculation: Some political figures have raised concerns about the possibility of sabotage, including the potential for a cyber attack by an enemy country. However, these claims are speculative and not supported by confirmed evidence.

Ongoing Investigation

The DGCA has launched a detailed inquiry, supported by technical teams from Boeing and international aviation safety agencies. The investigation focuses on flight data, maintenance history, pilot communications, and crew experience. Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been recovered, which will aid in determining the exact cause of the crash.

Passengers and crew members

1. Joshi-Vyas Family (Udaipur, Rajasthan):
Dr. Pratik Joshi, a radiologist in London, was traveling with his wife, Dr. Komi Vyas, a physician who had recently resigned from her position at Pacific Hospital in Udaipur to join her husband. They were accompanied by their three children: eight-year-old daughter Miraya and five-year-old twin sons, Nakul and Pradyut. A final selfie taken before takeoff now serves as a poignant reminder of their lost dreams.

2. Kamdar-Modha Family (Nagpur, Maharashtra):
Yasha Kamdar (32), originally from Nagpur, had been living in Ahmedabad since her marriage to the Modha family four years ago. She was traveling to London with her 15-month-old son, Rudra Modha, and her mother-in-law, 58-year-old Raksha Modha, to attend the funeral of her father-in-law, Kishor Modha, who had passed away after battling cancer. The trio perished in the crash shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad.

3. Modi Family (Udaipur, Rajasthan):
Shubham (24) and Shagun Modi (22), children of prominent marble businessman Sanjeev Modi, were residents of Saheliyon ki Badi in Udaipur. They were joined on the flight by Vardichand from Mavli block and Prakash Menaria from Menar village in Vallabhnagar. The news of their loss has deeply affected the community in Udaipur.

4. Greenlaw-Meek Family (Kent, UK):
Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek, wellness entrepreneurs from Kent, were also aboard the ill-fated flight. Their tragic end has left the community in Kent in shock.

5. Rudra, Yasha, and Raxa Modha (Ahmedabad, India):
15-month-old Rudra, his mother Yasha, and grandmother Raxa Modha were permitted to board the flight after a £1,000 bribe was allegedly paid to an immigration officer. The family was allowed to board despite Rudra's British passport not being valid for travel. All three perished in the crash.

6. Ranjitha Gopakimar (Thiruvalla, Kerala):
Ranjitha Gopakimar, a 38-year-old nurse from Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district, was among the victims. She had been working in the UK and was returning to visit her mother and two children in Kerala. Her family confirmed her death in the crash.

7. Irfan Shaikh (Pune, Maharashtra):
Irfan Shaikh, a 22-year-old crew member from Pune, tragically lost his life in the crash. He had just returned to duty after a brief Bakri Eid break with his family and was on his third day of work. His family is currently in Ahmedabad awaiting formal identification of his body through a mandatory DNA test.

official reactions from Indian authorities, Air India, and international leaders.

🇮🇳 Indian Government

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, stating it was "heartbreaking beyond words." He visited the crash site and met with the sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, and the injured. (theguardian.com)
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar referred to the incident as a "heart-rending disaster," offering condolences and prayers for the affected families. (cityairnews.com)
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu described the event as "shocking and devastating," confirming that he is personally monitoring all developments. He assured that medical teams and relief workers have been rushed to the site and emergency protocols activated.
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, instructing officials to carry out "immediate rescue and relief operations" and to make arrangements on a "war footing."
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the devastating air crash in Ahmedabad, stating, "Deeply shocked and pained by the devastating flight crash in Ahmedabad. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, crew members, their families, and the residents affected."

✈️ Air India & Tata Group

Air India confirmed the crash of Flight AI171, stating that the airline is working to ascertain the full details. A dedicated passenger hotline number, 1800 5691 444, has been set up to provide more information.
Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed deepest condolences, stating, "At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted."

United Kingdom

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes as "devastating," stating he is "being kept updated as the situation develops.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed that British nationals were on board and that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is working urgently with local authorities to support British nationals and their families, having established a crisis team in both Delhi and London.

🌍 International Leaders

King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed their condolences over the tragedy.
Portuguese Prime Minister offered condolences to the families of the victims.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrote to Prime Minister Modi, offering Bangladesh's full support.
Sri Lankan President condoled with the families of the victims.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended sympathies after the crash.

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Saturday, June 14, 2025