Shocking News: Air India Flight AI171 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad
In a horrifying aviation tragedy, Air India Flight AI171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India, with more than 240 people on board. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, went down within moments of liftoff, crashing directly into a residential complex housing a medical college hostel. The incident left a trail of devastation both in the skies and on the ground.
Overview of the Incident
Date of Crash: June 12, 2025
Flight: Air India AI171
Route: Ahmedabad (India) ➝ London Gatwick (UK)
Aircraft: Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Casualties: 240+ confirmed deaths
Survivor: 1 known survivor
What Exactly Happened?
Just two minutes after liftoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, pilots of AI171 issued a mayday call indicating critical mechanical failure. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud sputtering sound and seeing flames from one of the engines. Seconds later, the aircraft lost altitude and nosedived into a populated residential zone.
The jet struck the hostel building of a nearby medical college, leading to catastrophic destruction. Emergency services reached within minutes, but fire, smoke, and structural collapse made the rescue mission agonizingly difficult.
Possible Causes of the Crash
Though the official investigation is ongoing, aviation analysts and early data suggest several potential causes:
Engine Flameout or Surge: The left engine reportedly showed signs of power fluctuation prior to crash.
Fuel Contamination or High Temperature: Preliminary black box readings indicate irregular fuel combustion rates.
Gear/Flap Malfunction: Improper flap deployment might have led to inadequate lift during takeoff.
Avionics or Stall Warnings Ignored: There may have been sensor or flight computer malfunction, contributing to the aircraft stalling.
The crash marks the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since the model’s entry into service, shaking confidence in what was once regarded as one of the safest aircraft.
The Horror at the Hostel: Ground Zero
The aircraft plunged into Block C of the Anandpur Medical College Hostel, which housed over 80 students. Many of them were in their rooms or preparing for afternoon lectures when the plane hit. The crash reduced an entire wing of the hostel to rubble.
At least 25 students and two faculty staff were confirmed dead.
Survivors from the hostel described chaos—“a fireball came down from the sky” and “the walls exploded inward.”
Several were trapped under the debris and only identified via DNA testing.
The psychological trauma among surviving students and staff has led to widespread calls for the relocation of academic institutions built dangerously close to airports.
What Happened to the Co-Pilot and Crew?
Flight AI171 was operated by Captain Rajeev Thakur, a veteran pilot with over 14,000 flight hours, and Co-Pilot Priya R. Banerjee, a rising name in Indian aviation.
Captain Thakur is believed to have remained at the controls until the final moment, attempting a forced emergency landing.
Co-pilot Banerjee reportedly made the mayday call and was seen trying to stabilize flight controls based on flight recorder audio.
Both pilots and all crew members perished in the crash.
They are now hailed as heroes who tried everything to prevent an even greater tragedy, steering away from the city center and toward an open stretch.
The Sole Survivor: Vishwashkumar Ramesh
In a miracle that defies explanation, 31-year-old British citizen Vishwashkumar Ramesh, seated in 11A, survived the crash.
He was found semi-conscious under a tangle of metal, plastic, and insulation, suffering from third-degree burns and broken ribs.
He told rescuers, “There were bodies all around me. I thought I was dead.”
He is now under intensive care at a private hospital in Ahmedabad and expected to recover. His survival has offered a glimmer of hope amidst a sea of despair.
Families Left Behind: A Nation in Mourning
Families of victims arrived in Ahmedabad from across India, the UK, and Europe. Many spent hours at the airport and disaster site, waiting for news. Rows of ambulances, grieving relatives, and DNA testing vans turned the airport into a scene of collective mourning.
Several passengers were entire families returning from summer holidays.
A family of four from Delhi, a group of six students from Kerala, and a couple returning from their honeymoon in Gujarat were all among the deceased.
The crash has emotionally devastated multiple generations of families.
The Global Response
World leaders expressed sorrow, including Indian PM, U.S. President Trump, UK Prime Minister, and leaders from the EU and UN.
International airports observed moments of silence.
Aviation watchdogs and global safety agencies have begun scrutinizing Dreamliner maintenance procedures.
Governments have offered aid and condolences, and global citizens have responded with fundraising efforts and solidarity campaigns on social media under hashtags like #AI171Tragedy and #FlySafeForThem.
Final Reflections
This tragic event is more than a crash—it's a human catastrophe. It reflects deep issues in urban planning, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness. The names, faces, and dreams lost aboard AI171 should not fade into statistics.
Let us remember them not just with tears but with a collective promise to demand better safety, smarter urban design, and greater compassion in moments of loss.
We pray that the souls of the departed find peace beyond the skies, and that their families find strength to carry on.
