Air India Dreamliner Crashes After Takeoff in Ahmedabad, Killing 204
ID 117606787 © Ryan Fletcher | Dreamstime.com
In what marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed just moments after takeoff on Thursday, leaving 204 people confirmed dead and dozens more injured.
The widebody aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 53 British nationals, when it plunged into a residential area of Ahmedabad shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Initial reports suggest the crash may have been related to an issue with the aircraft’s wing flaps configuration during takeoff.
AI171 Crash Video
🚨 BREAKING
Air India Flight AI171 (Ahmedabad-London) crashes near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Gujarat’s Meghani Nagar. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with ~242 passengers onboard. pic.twitter.com/86m2ZGo8i2— v e l o c i t y (@krok7517100) June 12, 2025
Crash Details and Immediate Aftermath
Flight AI171 departed Ahmedabad at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) and was scheduled to arrive at London Gatwick at 18:25 BST. However, flight tracking data showed the aircraft lost signal less than a minute after takeoff. Its last recorded altitude was just 625 feet.
Eyewitness reports and footage confirmed the aircraft crashed into a residential neighborhood in Meghani Nagar, striking a doctors’ hostel. Verified video shows thick black smoke billowing from the crash site, with emergency services rushing to contain fires and rescue survivors. One image shows a massive hole in the wall of a building, consistent with the force of an aircraft impact.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik initially stated that there were no survivors, but later confirmed that one person — a British national seated in 11A — had survived the crash. That individual, identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, was quoted as saying, “Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”
Onboard and On the Ground
Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 from the UK, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. The total onboard complement included 242 passengers and crew. It is unclear how many of the casualties were among those on the ground, as the aircraft came down in a densely populated area.
Ahmedabad’s airport immediately suspended all operations. A reception center has been set up at London Gatwick, and Air India has activated an emergency response team for families. The Indian government has mobilized national and regional agencies, and rescue operations remain underway.
ID 89279862 © Mindaugas Dulinskas | Dreamstime.com
Aircraft and Possible Cause
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, part of Air India’s 58-strong Boeing fleet. The Dreamliner type has a strong safety record, and this is the first crash of a 787-8 in this context.
Aviation experts analyzing available footage suggest that the aircraft’s wing flaps may have been retracted during takeoff — a configuration error that could compromise lift and prevent proper climb-out. While the video resolution was too low to confirm this definitively, multiple experts pointed to the flap setting as a potential factor, raising questions of possible human error during pre-takeoff checks.
Reactions and Support
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, calling the crash “heartbreaking beyond words.” UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the situation as “devastating” and stated that the UK government is working closely with Indian authorities. Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed consular support for British nationals, and The King also issued a statement expressing profound sympathy.
Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, has announced compensation of ₹1 crore (approximately £86,000) for the families of those killed. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said, “This is a difficult day for all of us at Air India, and our efforts now are focused entirely on the needs of our passengers, crew members, their families and loved ones.”
Ongoing Investigation
The crash investigation will be led by Indian aviation authorities, with Boeing stating it is offering full cooperation. The U.S. aircraft manufacturer said it was “deeply saddened” and would provide technical assistance.
Operations remain suspended at Ahmedabad airport, and passengers are advised to check with their airlines before traveling. As rescue teams continue to work at the crash site, attention now turns to understanding what caused this catastrophic failure in what should have been a routine international departure.
Authorities have stated that full clarity will only come following black box recovery and cockpit voice recorder analysis.
