🛩️ Ahmedabad Air India Boeing 787 Crash — June 12, 2025 Incident Overview Flight: Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (tail number VT‑ANB), operated between Ahmedabad (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport) and London Gatwick
Time: Departed at 1:38 p.m. IST on June 12, 2025; crashed approximately 30–60 seconds after liftoff in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar/BJ Medical College hostel area timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Casualties:
Aboard: 230 passengers and 12 crew (total 242 occupants)
Ground victims: 28 fatalities and around 60 injuries from the destroyed hostel building
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Total fatalities: between 241–269, depending on reports—241 onboard, 28 on the ground
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Survivor: Only one individual survived—Vishwashkumar “Vishwash” Ramesh, a British-Indian passenger seated in row 11A. He escaped with minor injuries and is now hospitalized
What Caused It? Black boxes: At least one flight recorder has been recovered; investigation ongoing theguardian.com .
Preliminary issues: Reports suggest an abnormal configuration—landing gear not retracted, flaps improperly positioned, and possible total thrust loss—raising serious safety questions about the 787‑8 model .
Emergency call: Crew issued a mayday shortly after takeoff; communications ceased amid the crash event
Rescue & Response Emergency operations: First responders faced massive fires due to full fuel tanks; evacuation and hospital transport began immediately
Hospitalization: Over 60 medical students were injured, with at least five MBBS students and hospital staff among the fatalities
Investigations underway:
India’s DGCA and AAIB, along with the U.S. NTSB and the UK AAIB, are participating
Boeing and GE Aerospace have launched their internal inquiries and are cooperating with authorities
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Political & Public Impact Government response:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer expressed deep condolences
Air India, now under Tata Sons, pledged full cooperation; Tata Group announced ₹1 crore compensation per victim and medical assistance for the injured
Airport operations: Flights at Ahmedabad were briefly halted; limited operations resumed in the evening .
Global aviation implications: This marks the first-ever fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, shaking confidence in the aircraft’s safety record
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What’s Next? Full investigation into possible mechanical issues, crew procedures, and aircraft configuration at takeoff.
DNA identification and confirmation of all victims.
Technical reviews of 787‑8 operations worldwide.
Support actions for families and survivors, including counseling and logistical aid.
Memorial & Community Reactions Gujarat and UK communities are organizing candlelight vigils and memorial services in remembrance of the victims, including the ex-CM and medical students.
Public concern over aviation safety has intensified, especially around technical standards and emergency procedures.
✍️ The June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI171 stands as a devastating event in both Indian and global aviation history. With nearly 270 lives lost—including a former state leader and students—and only one miraculous survivor, the tragedy underscores the fragility of air travel and the importance of rigorous safety oversight. While investigations unfold, communities remain in shock, seeking answers and solace.
