Bottom Line Up Front
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, killing at least 204 people in what marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft entered service in 2011. The crash has sparked international investigations and raised serious questions about aviation safety.
The Incident: What Happened
At 1:39 PM local time (08:08 UTC) on June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171 took off from runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport. Within minutes of departure, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the densely populated Meghaninagar residential area near the airport.
The aircraft, registered as VT-ANB, was carrying 242 people: 230 passengers (including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national) and 12 crew members (2 pilots and 10 flight attendants). The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar.
The Crash Sequence
According to preliminary flight data from FlightRadar24, the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of only 625 feet (with the airport at about 200 feet elevation) before beginning to descend at a rate of 475 feet per minute. Video footage posted on social media showed the aircraft failing to gain altitude after takeoff, descending at a high angle of attack with landing gear still deployed—unusual for that phase of flight.
The crew issued a mayday call to air traffic control, but there was no further response from the aircraft after that emergency signal. The last ADS-B signal was received at 08:08:51 UTC, just seconds after takeoff.
Casualties and Impact
Human Toll:
- At least 204 bodies recovered from the crash site
- Casualties include both passengers/crew and people on the ground
- One reported survivor found in seat 11A, currently hospitalized
- More than 50 injured individuals transported to hospitals
- Several medical students killed when aircraft crashed into B.J. Medical College hostel
Notable Victims:
- Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat state
- Multiple medical students from B.J. Medical College
Ground Impact: The aircraft crashed directly onto the dining area of the state-run B.J. Medical College hostel during lunch hour, causing significant casualties among medical students and staff. The crash site in Meghaninagar is a residential area with mixed residential and office buildings.
The Aircraft
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved (VT-ANB) was:
- Delivered to Air India on January 28, 2014
- First flew on December 14, 2013
- 11 years old at the time of the crash
- Accumulated 41,000 flight hours and nearly 8,000 takeoffs
- Powered by two General Electric GEnx-1B67 engines
- Had recently operated routine long-haul flights, including Paris to Delhi the night before
This marks the first hull loss and first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the aircraft type entered commercial service in 2011. There are currently over 1,175 Dreamliners in service worldwide, operating approximately 2,100 flights daily.
Investigation Launched
Lead Agencies:
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India leading the investigation
- UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) deploying investigators
- US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sending investigative team
- Federal Aviation Administration monitoring the situation
Key Investigation Areas:
- Recovery and analysis of Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
- Aircraft maintenance records and recent inspection history
- Crew training and certification records
- Weather conditions at time of departure
- Potential mechanical failures or engine issues
International Cooperation: Under international aviation protocols, India will lead the investigation with support from aircraft and engine manufacturers (Boeing and GE Aerospace), as well as aviation authorities from countries whose nationals were aboard.
Corporate and Government Response
Air India Response:
- CEO Campbell Wilson expressed condolences and activated emergency response teams
- Established information center at Gatwick Airport for families
- Diverted another flight (AI143 with CEO aboard) back to assist with crisis management
Tata Group Compensation: Air India’s parent company announced:
- ₹1 crore ($116,868) compensation to families of each victim
- Coverage of all medical expenses for injured passengers
- Support for rebuilding B.J. Medical College hostel
Government Response:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and coordinated emergency response
- Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu mobilized rescue teams
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel established “green corridor” for emergency vehicles
International Reactions:
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described scenes as “devastating”
- King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed being “desperately shocked”
- International aviation community offering support and assistance
Boeing’s Troubled History
This crash adds to Boeing’s recent safety challenges:
Previous Issues:
- Two fatal 737 MAX crashes (2018-2019) killing 346 people
- 20-month grounding of 737 MAX fleet
- January 2024 Alaska Airlines door plug blowout incident
- Ongoing quality control and manufacturing issues
- $39.3 billion in losses since early 2019
787 Dreamliner Specific Concerns:
- 2024 FAA investigation into whistleblower claims about improper assembly
- Claims that aircraft sections could “break apart after thousands of trips”
- Boeing previously stated these were “not immediate safety of flight issues”
Market Impact: Boeing shares fell approximately 7% in pre-market trading following news of the crash, reflecting investor concerns about the company’s ongoing safety reputation.
Historical Context
Air India’s Safety Record:
- First major hull loss since the 1985 bombing of Flight 182 (329 deaths)
- Recent fleet modernization efforts under Tata Group ownership
- Merger with Vistara in 2024 as part of expansion strategy
Indian Aviation:
- Last major crash was 2020 Air India Express Boeing 737 in Kerala (21 deaths)
- Growing aviation market with increasing international connectivity
- Ongoing infrastructure development and safety oversight improvements
Ongoing Proceedings and Next Steps
Immediate Actions:
- Search and rescue operations continuing at crash site
- DNA sampling initiated for victim identification
- Temporary flight suspensions at Ahmedabad airport (later resumed with limited capacity)
- Medical treatment for survivors and injured ground victims
Investigation Timeline:
- CVR and FDR recovery critical for determining cause
- Preliminary findings expected within weeks
- Full investigation could take months to complete
- Final report typically issued within 12-24 months
Industry Impact:
- Potential review of Boeing 787 safety protocols
- Renewed scrutiny of aircraft maintenance procedures
- Impact on upcoming Paris Air Show where Boeing planned major announcements
- Possible implications for Boeing’s reputation recovery efforts
Looking Ahead
The crash of Air India Flight 171 represents a critical moment for both Boeing and the global aviation industry. As investigators work to determine the exact cause, several key questions remain:
- What role, if any, did the aircraft’s age or maintenance history play?
- Were there any undetected manufacturing defects related to previous whistleblower concerns?
- How will this impact public confidence in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner?
- What additional safety measures might be implemented industry-wide?
The aviation community awaits the investigation findings, which will be crucial for preventing similar tragedies and ensuring the continued safety of commercial aviation. The memory of the 242 lives lost serves as a stark reminder of the importance of unwavering commitment to aviation safety standards.
This is a developing story. Information continues to emerge as investigations proceed. Updates will be provided as official findings become available.
Atif Arif 
Kashif Noorani