Digital News Guru Gujarat Desk:
Air India Boeing 787‑8 crash in Ahmedabad
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner registered VT‑ANB, bound for London Gatwick, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight, carrying 242 people (230 passengers and 12 crew), issued a Mayday call seconds after liftoff. Radar tracked it ascending to just around 625 ft before it plummeted into the Meghani Nagar residential area, colliding with a medic college hostel and erupting into a fireball.
Video captured the alarming descent; emergency services confirmed the plane crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel premises . The airport was temporarily shut, with all flights grounded before limited operations resumed later that evening .
Grim Toll and Miraculous Survival
Initial reports feared there were no survivors, but investigators later confirmed one miraculous escape by British citizen Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 38, who jumped from seat 11A and fled the wreckage.
Rescue teams recovered 204 bodies from both aircraft and ground. Police estimate total fatalities could reach approximately 294, including students and staff in the medical hostel. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Crew Credentials & Aircraft Background
Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Boeing 787 veteran with over 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with around 1,100 hours, were at the helm . Both had extensive training for international and long-haul operations.
The aircraft, delivered in January 2014, amassed roughly 41,700 flight hours over 7,800 cycles, equipped with GE’s GEnx‑1B engines.Despite the 787’s strong safety record, this tragedy marks the first fatal hull loss of the model since its 2011 service debut.
Immediate Response & Ongoing Investigation
Emergency units, including fire engines, ambulances, CISF, Army, NDRF, CRPF, and local authorities, rushed to the crash site. Central agencies, led by the DGCA and AAIB, are spearheading the probe, with technical support from the U.S. NTSB, FAA, and UK investigators.
Potential mechanical anomalies—including suspected faulty flap or landing-gear retraction—are being examined, though officials emphasized it’s too early to determine the precise cause. The fact that the aircraft was fully laden with fuel for the long-haul flight intensified the inferno post-crash.
Market Shock & Industry Repercussions
Financial markets reacted sharply: Boeing shares fell ~4.8–5%, reflecting investor anxiety reminiscent of the earlier 737 MAX crisis, further magnified by concerns over manufacturing defects. Similarly, GE Aerospace (supplier of GEnx engines), Rolls-Royce, and Spirit AeroSystems dropped modestly. Analysts expect short-term volatility but predict no major long-term production impact.
National Leadership & Support Actions
PM Narendra Modi, along with leaders from the UK and US, expressed deep condolences . Air India, under Tata Group, established hotlines and pledged Rs 1 crore (~US $120k) compensation per fatality, and immediate support for families of survivors.
Boeing issued a statement echoing regret, pledging full assistance to Indian authorities.
Broader Context: Air India and Fleet Renewal
The crash arrives amid Air India’s ongoing Vihaan.ai transformation, which includes retrofitting legacy fleet and acquiring new widebody jets, such as Airbus A350s and Boeing 777Xs, expected to start entering service in late 2025.
Despite ambitious upgrades, passenger feedback (like reports of hot cabins, broken IFE, AC failures) has been mixed. Some flyers have called current Dreamliner services “unbearably hot” and poorly maintained. With one of these aircraft tragically failing, questions now loom over the pace and quality of the retrofit efforts.
What Happens Next
- Technical Investigation: Multi-agency teams will analyze flight data, CVR, maintenance history, and wreckage. International experts are assisting .
- Safety Reviews & Oversight: The 787’s manufacturing records will be scrutinized by Boeing, FAA, and DGCA.
- Fleet Grounding? Regulators may push for inspections across similar 787s worldwide in concert with Boeing.
- Air India Measures: Enhanced oversight, recall reviews, and passenger service improvements are expected as Tata-backed airlines aim to rebuild trust.
Final Word
In summary, Flight AI 171’s crash is a profound tragedy: over 200 lives lost, a single miraculous survivor, and scores of families deeply impacted. It’s a grim milestone — the first fatal Boeing 787 accident — casting a stark spotlight on aircraft safety, airline maintenance, and fleet renewal strategies. As probes proceed, the aviation community waits for answers. But for now: hearts and thoughts remain with Ahmedabad, the victim’s families, and the survivor’s courage
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