Date: June 12, 2025
Time of Incident: Shortly after 1:38 p.m. IST
Timeline of the Incident
1:38 p.m. IST (08:08 UTC)
Air India Flight AI‑171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (registration VT‑ANB), carrying 232 passengers and 12 crew members, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Runway 23, bound for London Gatwick
Seconds after take-off
Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft transmitted a “MAYDAY” distress call to air traffic control, then went silent . Flight tracking data showed it reached a maximum altitude of around 625 feet before initiating a steep descent .
~1:39 p.m. IST
The aircraft crashed in the Meghani Nagar residential area, just outside the airport perimeter. Thick black smoke and a fireball were reported immediately after impact
1:40–2:00 p.m. IST
Ahmedabad Fire & Emergency Services, along with NDRF, police, and ambulances, rushed to the site. Multiple roads were sealed off as rescuers worked to extinguish flames and treat the injured
2:00–3:00 p.m. IST
Sardar Patel International Airport suspended all operations. The DGCA and AAIB dispatched investigation teams; Boeing reportedly prepared to assist .
Flight & Crew Details
- Flight AI-171: Scheduled Ahmedabad → London Gatwick
- Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB)
- Passengers: 242 (169 Indian, 53 British National, 1 Canadian, 7 Portuguese )
- Crew: 12 (2 pilots, 10 cabin staff)
- Captain: Sumit Sabharwal, LTC with 8,200 flight hours
- First Officer: Clive Kunder, approx. 1,100 flight hours
Official Statements & Rescue Efforts
- Air India
“Flight AI‑171 … was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. We are ascertaining details and will share further updates on airindia.com and our X handle.” - DGCA (Civil Aviation Regulator)
Confirmed there were 242 people onboard. The “MAYDAY” call came just after departure, followed by loss of contact. A thick plume of black smoke was seen at the crash site - Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu
Expressed shock and said all emergency agencies are working “swiftly and in a coordinated manner” - Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel & Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Directed “immediate rescue and relief operations on a war footing”, arranged green corridor transport for the injured, and confirmed full NDRF and central support - Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran
Called it a “tragic accident”, offered condolences, and announced an emergency centre and family support unit have been activated
Current Status & Next Steps
| Area | Status |
|---|---|
| Casualties | Not yet confirmed, but feared significant |
| Injured | Taken to nearby hospitals via green corridor |
| Rescue in progress | Firefighters and NDRF deployed; roads sealed |
| Airport operations | Suspended, many flights diverted |
| Investigation | DGCA/AAIB leading; Boeing to assist |
| Family support | Emergency centres activated; updates via Air India/X |
Authorities continue to assess the damage, account for all passengers, and recover black boxes. Investigation teams are focusing on technical data, pilot communications, and ATC transcripts.
What This Means
- A Boeing 787 crash marks its first fatal incident since its introduction in 2011.
- The heavy fuel load for a long-haul flight likely intensified the fireball at impact .
- All eyes are on DGCA, AAIB, Boeing, and Air India to determine the cause—be it technical fault, human error, or external factors.
Final Word
This tragic crash in Ahmedabad has sent shockwaves throughout India and the global aviation community. As rescue operations continue, the nation awaits clarity and closure. Our thoughts are with the families, passengers, crew, and first responders. We will update this page as more information becomes available.
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