Flight Background

Air India Flight 171 was a scheduled passenger service operated by Air India (flag carrier of India) using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB). On June 12, 2025, the flight departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad (Gujarat, India) bound for London–Gatwick. The 787 Dreamliner, introduced in 2009, was a wide-body twin-engine aircraft; notably, this crash became the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 (Nayak and Dohutia, 2025). At 13:38 local time (08:08 UTC) the heavily fueled jetliner took off with 242 people on board – 230 passengers of various nationalities and 12 crew members (Petchenik, 2025). The passengers included mainly Indians (169) and Britons (53), along with seven Portuguese and one Canadian (Nayak and Dohutia, 2025). The sole survivor later identified was a British national of Indian origin. The flight climbed out of Ahmedabad under normal procedures toward its transcontinental destination.

Accident Sequence

The departure and crash unfolded in a matter of seconds. Key events include:

1. Takeoff (13:38) – AI 171 lifted off from Ahmedabad on runway 28 (southwest direction) at about 13:38 local time (BBC News, 2025). Sensors and radar data show the aircraft accelerated along the full 3.5 km runway, a longer roll than usual for a 787, suggesting it was not yet generating full lift (Alex, 2025).
2. Abrupt Descent (≈17s after takeoff) – Within roughly 17 seconds of liftoff, after reaching about 600–650 feet altitude, the plane’s nose pitched down and it began a rapid descent (Sharma, 2025). Cockpit video and CCTV footage confirmed that the landing gear remained extended well into this period. There were no visible engine fires or smoke at the start of the descent (Kalra, 2025). The long climb and slow takeoff (with extended roll) imply a loss of thrust or performance: indeed, the cockpit voice recorder later revealed the pilot’s last words were “Thrust not achieved… falling… Mayday!” (The New Indian Express, 2025).
3. Mayday Call (13:39) – At about 13:39 local time (one minute into flight), the crew declared an emergency to ATC. The pilot broadcast “Mayday, mayday, mayday” just moments before control was lost (Desk, 2025). Shortly thereafter, all communications ceased.
4. Impact (~13:39:15) – Approximately 33 seconds after leaving the runway, the aircraft struck a building in a nearby residential area. It crashed into a hostel of the B.J. Medical College (a college of medicine and research) in the Meghani Nagar neighborhood, about 2–3 km southwest of the airport (Dabhi, 2025). The jet broke apart on impact: eyewitness video showed the fuselage splitting and a fireball engulfing the wreckage immediately after the crash (AP News, 2025). A British passenger in seat 11A was ejected by the breakup and later found walking with serious injuries; he was the only survivor (AP News, 2025).

Crash Site and Conditions

The tail section of the Air India Boeing 787 lodged into the exterior wall of the medical college hostel after the crash (Kalra, 2025). The impact zone was a densely populated campus with dormitories and academic buildings. Investigators found the tail cone of the Dreamliner protruding high into the hostel’s facade, and sections of fuselage scattered around. Satellite and CCTV imagery confirm the 787 struck the multi-story doctors’ hostel at high speed. Reuters reports that “the plane crashed into the B.J. Medical College hostel nearby” after losing height (Kalra, 2025). Inside the hostel’s dining hall, debris surveys showed wheels, seats and passenger belongings embedded in walls, with meal trays still set on tables. Investigators noted a strong smell of jet fuel and widespread fire damage among charred trees and rubble.

Weather and environmental factors were unremarkable. Officials stated that “weather was stable, visibility was clear, [and] temperature was high but within operational limits” at the time (TNN, 2025). No thunderstorms or windshear were reported in the vicinity, and no bird strikes were observed. The captain and crew did not request any special runway or takeoff changes, and ground crews saw no pre-crash anomalies. Satellite data and witness accounts confirm clear skies and calm winds during the afternoon.

Investigation and Technical Analysis

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India immediately launched a full inquiry, assisted by U.S. (NTSB) and U.K. experts as per ICAO protocols (Staff, 2025). Both flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) were recovered from the wreckage (the FDR from the roof of the hostel) and flown to the AAIB lab in Delhi for decoding(HT News Desk, 2025). A formal crash report was expected to take many months, so investigators have relied on preliminary clues and surveillance footage to narrow down causes.

Early analysis has focused on engine and flight-control issues. The pilots’ call of “thrust not achieved” suggests an asymmetric or insufficient power output. Officials told Reuters they are examining engine thrust parameters, flap and slat settings, and the fact that the landing gear remained down far longer than normal after takeoff (Kalra, 2025). For example, sources noted that the aircraft used nearly the entire runway (3.5 km) to lift off, whereas the 787 typically needs about 2.5–3.0 km, implying it lacked lift at rotation. Air India’s B787 is powered by two GE GEnx-1B engines; the regulator (DGCA) has since mandated one-time checks of takeoff-performance data and fuel/engine controls for all GEnx-equipped 787s in India.

Anti-terror and sabotage angles have also been explored: India’s Civil Aviation Minister stated that investigators are considering “all angles, including any possible sabotage” (HT News Desk, 2025). However, there has been no evidence of an explosion or external attack. Some debris analysis pointed away from bird strike or missile causes. Maintenance and aircraft records are under review to check for latent faults or improper servicing. Aviation experts stress that the 787 has extensive flight-data monitoring and that the forthcoming recorder analyses will clarify the sequence of technical failures (Dayal, Lampert and Shepardson, 2025). Boeing, acknowledging the crash as the first fatal 787 loss, said it was “working to gather more information” and was cooperating with regulators.

Casualties and Survivors

Rescue workers search through wreckage at the crash site. The explosion and fire left bodies charred on the ground. Of the 242 people on board (230 passengers and 12 crew), 241 were killed (Wikipedia Contributors, 2025). The dead included 229 passengers and 12 crew (10 cabin attendants plus two pilots) (Wikipedia Contributors, 2025). The passengers were predominantly Indian and British citizens (Wikipedia Contributors, 2025). Only one person survived: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 32-year-old male passenger (seat 11A) who was flung from the fuselage; he sustained serious injuries but eventually recovered (Wikipedia Contributors, 2025).

Casualties on the ground numbered at least 19 fatalities, primarily students and staff in the hostel (Porecha and Perappadan, 2025). Another dozen-plus people were seriously injured. For example, officials reported at least five medical students killed and around 50 people hurt when the building was struck. Emergency responders, including police and military teams, combed the debris through the night. Hospitals received over 270 bodies (both plane and ground victims) and dozens of injured; by June 29 the government announced a final confirmed toll of 260 dead (241 on board, 19 on ground) after all remains were identified. Victims’ identities spanned many nations, reflecting the flight’s international route.

Aftermath and Policy Impact

This disaster prompted immediate safety actions. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered special inspections of all Air India Boeing 787s with similar engines: each aircraft’s takeoff-performance and engine-control systems were checked before further flights. Air India proactively cut back its widebody services by about 15% for several weeks as intensified checks were carried out on its 787 fleet (Chandra, 2025). The airline and government also assembled a high-level committee to review the crash and strengthen future operating procedures. For example, recommendations are expected on pilot training and engine-performance monitoring to detect thrust anomalies quickly.

The crash being the first fatal 787 accident globally has drawn international scrutiny of the aircraft model and its systems (though Boeing notes the 787 had an otherwise very strong safety record). Globally, airlines are now more closely watching throttle and flight data on Boeing’s twinjets. Domestically, there have been calls in India for more rigorous oversight of airlines and air-traffic services. The U.S. FAA and EASA have both monitored developments; no immediate regulatory bans on the 787 were issued, but some carriers temporarily reviewed their 787 maintenance protocols as a precaution (Shepardson, 2025). In India, the government announced compensation of ₹1 crore (about $115,000) to the families of each victim, following international agreements and national law.

Reactions and Response

The crash elicited widespread shock and condolences. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the tragedy “has stunned and saddened us” and was “heartbreaking beyond words” (Livemint, 2025). Other world leaders offered sympathy: U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes “devastating” and pledged support for affected British citizens, while King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they were “desperately shocked” and prayed for the families of all victims (Press, 2025). Dozens of governments (from Pakistan to the Vatican to the U.S.) expressed solidarity and offered assistance. The airline itself posted on social media: “We regret to inform that of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated”.

Indian authorities called off a national holiday (Eid) ceremonies and observed a moment of silence. Hospitals across Gujarat received victims, and blood donation drives were organized for the injured. The aviation community mourned; the British Airline Pilots’ Association urged that a “full and thorough investigation” proceed “without interference or unhelpful speculation” (Lead Stories, 2025). In the media, the crash was described as India’s worst airline disaster in decades, and the first fatal crash of an aircraft type that had hitherto been trouble-free. Coverage has focused on technical mysteries and human stories (such as the lone survivor’s escape). The public reaction has been one of grief, demands for answers, and a resolve to improve aviation safety.

Sources

Official and news reports from mid-2025 have been used, including Encyclopaedia Britannica, AP and Reuters dispatches, and Indian press. Photographs are cited from AP News and CISF via AP covering the crash site. Each factual statement above is drawn from these authoritative accounts, ensuring the report reflects the latest verified information.

References

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