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Ahmedabad Plane Crash 2025: Air India Flight AI171 Tragedy – Full Details
Published on: June 14, 2025 | By: NewsVibesIndia Team
Introduction to the Ahmedabad Plane Crash
On June 12, 2025, a devastating plane crash occurred in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, including passengers and crew, crashed into a medical college hostel in the Meghani Nagar area, killing 241 people on board and several on the ground. This blog on NewsVibesIndia provides a detailed account of the incident, including the causes, rescue operations, and the aftermath, as the nation grapples with this immense tragedy.
Image: Rescue teams at the Ahmedabad plane crash site, navigating through debris.
Details of the Ahmedabad Plane Crash Incident
Air India Flight AI171 took off from Ahmedabad at 1:38 PM IST on June 12, 2025, with 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who tragically perished in the crash. Moments after takeoff, the aircraft issued a Mayday call, indicating a severe emergency, but air traffic control received no further communication. According to Flightradar24 data, the plane reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet before descending rapidly at a rate of -475 feet per minute.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel at B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area, about 5 km from the airport. The impact triggered a massive explosion and fireball, fueled by the plane’s heavy load of jet fuel for the long-haul flight to London. The crash site reached temperatures of around 1,000°C, causing severe structural damage to the hostel and scattering debris across the area. The disaster claimed the lives of 241 people on board, with only one survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin. The crash also killed at least eight people on the ground, including four medical students, and injured dozens more.
Image: Wreckage of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner amidst the damaged building in Ahmedabad.
Possible Causes of the Ahmedabad Plane Crash
The investigation into the crash, led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) with support from international experts from the U.K. and U.S., is ongoing. The focus is on potential issues with the aircraft’s engine, flaps, and landing gear, which may have contributed to the rapid descent shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner involved in the crash, delivered to Air India in 2014, had completed over 700 flights in the past year and had no prior fatal incidents, making this the first fatal crash for this aircraft model since its introduction in 2011.
On June 13, 2025, investigators recovered the flight data recorder (one of the two black boxes) from the rooftop of the damaged building, a critical step in understanding the cause of the crash. The search for the cockpit voice recorder continues, as it will provide audio evidence of the pilots’ communications in the final moments. Video footage of the crash shows the plane in a nose-up position during descent, an unusual behavior that suggests potential engine failure or a control system malfunction. The pilots, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 8,200 hours of experience and First Officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 hours, were well-trained, but the Mayday call indicates they faced a critical issue almost immediately after takeoff.
Image: Officials recovering the flight data recorder (black box) from the Ahmedabad crash site.
Other possible causes under consideration include human error, such as miscommunication with air traffic control, or external factors like a bird strike. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered Air India to conduct enhanced safety inspections on its entire Boeing 787 fleet, focusing on GEnx engines, take-off parameters, and other critical systems. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of long-haul aircraft and the need for stricter maintenance protocols.
For more on aviation safety and crash investigations, check out our related article: Aviation Safety and Crash Investigations.
Rescue Operations and Immediate Response
The crash prompted an immediate and large-scale rescue operation involving multiple agencies, including six teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire services, police units, ambulances, and the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Over 90 emergency response workers were deployed to the site, where they faced extreme heat, unstable structures, and the risk of gas leaks. The images show the intensity of the operation, with rescue teams in orange suits navigating through the rubble to search for survivors.
Image: Emergency response teams working tirelessly at the Ahmedabad crash site.
The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, was seated in 11A near an emergency exit, which likely aided his escape. He was found limping away from the crash site with multiple injuries and is now under treatment at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition but psychologically affected. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the site and met with Ramesh, expressing his condolences to the families of the victims.
Over 260 bodies were transported to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where DNA testing is being conducted to identify the remains due to their severe condition. At least 50 students were injured, with two in critical condition, and several were reported missing in the immediate aftermath. The recovery efforts are expected to take up to a month, given the scale of the disaster and the challenges posed by the site.
Learn more about disaster management in India in our detailed guide: Disaster Management in India.
Impact and Aftermath of the Crash
The Ahmedabad plane crash is one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s history, with a confirmed death toll of at least 265, including those on the ground. The tragedy has deeply affected the local community, with the loss of prominent figures like former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, as well as families, students, and international travelers. The crash site, located in a densely populated area, has left a lasting scar on the city of Ahmedabad.
Image: The Ahmedabad crash site engulfed in smoke as rescue teams work to manage the disaster.
Air India, now under the Tata Group, has committed to full transparency in the investigation and is providing support to the affected families, including a compensation of one crore rupees per victim, as announced by Tata Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran. The airline has also set up an emergency center and a passenger hotline (1800 5691 444) for families seeking information. The Gujarat government, in coordination with the central government, has deployed additional resources to assist with recovery efforts and support the affected families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the incident as “heartbreaking beyond words,” while international leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, King Charles III, and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, extended their condolences. The crash has sparked a national conversation about aviation safety, leading to calls for stricter regulations and better emergency preparedness in India’s aviation sector.
For more insights into aviation regulations, visit the DGCA website.
Preventing Future Aviation Disasters
Preventing such tragedies requires a comprehensive approach, including:
- Enhanced Safety Protocols: Airlines must prioritize regular maintenance and invest in advanced safety systems to detect and address issues proactively.
- Pilot Training: Continuous training programs can equip pilots to handle emergencies more effectively, even under extreme conditions.
- Improved Air Traffic Control Systems: Better coordination and communication between air traffic controllers and pilots can reduce the risk of errors.
- Public Awareness: Educating passengers about safety procedures and emergency exits can save lives during crises.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has formed a high-level multi-disciplinary committee to investigate the crash and develop new standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent and manage such incidents in the future. This committee will work alongside the AAIB investigation to ensure comprehensive safety improvements across the aviation industry.
Explore more tips on aviation safety in our article: Top Tips for Aviation Safety.
Conclusion
The Ahmedabad plane crash of June 12, 2025, involving Air India Flight AI171, is a tragic reminder of the risks associated with air travel and the urgent need for enhanced safety measures. As the investigation continues, we hope the findings will lead to significant improvements in aviation safety to prevent future tragedies. At NewsVibesIndia, we remain committed to providing you with the latest updates on this incident and other important news stories. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned for more developments.
