On June 12, 2025, an Air India Flight AI171 crashed just moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, leaving over 290 people dead. The flight, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was headed to London Gatwick Airport but never made it far from the runway.
The plane carried 242 people — including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Only one person survived, making it one of India’s worst air disasters in recent history.
How Did the Air India Crash Happen?
Just seconds after takeoff at 1:38 p.m. local time, the plane issued a Mayday call and struggled to gain altitude. CCTV footage showed the aircraft barely airborne for 30 seconds before crashing into Meghani Nagar, a residential area near the airport.
Early reports suggest that the aircraft’s landing gear was still deployed during takeoff, raising serious concerns among aviation experts. Some pilots noted that if both engines failed, the pilots would have had no time to recover.
The plane crashed into residential buildings, destroying a medical college hostel and killing several people on the ground. The tail section was found lodged in a nearby concrete structure.
Investigation: Black Boxes Recovered
Investigators have recovered both black boxes — the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) — which are crucial to understanding the cause of the crash. Although one of the black boxes is damaged, authorities believe they can still extract valuable information.
According to Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, India’s Union Minister of Civil Aviation, the black boxes will provide key insights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has formed a special committee to analyze potential causes, including mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, and regulatory compliance issues.
Air India Crash Victim Details
The tragedy claimed the lives of passengers from India, the UK, Portugal, and Canada. The complete list of victims has not been fully disclosed, but several families have been identified:
- Prateek Joshi, a radiologist, with his wife Dr. Komi Vyas and their three children.
- British couples such as Ashok and Shobhana Patel, Akeel Nanabawa and Hannaa Vorajee with their daughter Sara, and many more.
- Gujarat’s former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also among the deceased.
- The pilot, Sumeet Sabharwal, and first officer, Clive Kundar, both perished.
- The sole Canadian passenger was identified as Dr. Nirali Sureshkumar Patel.
The eight people on the ground who were killed included four medical students from the hostel struck by the plane.
Who Survived the Air India Crash?
The only survivor was identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, who was seated in row 11A, next to an emergency exit. Immediately after the crash, Ramesh managed to unbuckle his seatbelt and escape through an opening near the exit.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh said:
“I don’t know how I survived. I saw people dying near me — air hostesses and passengers. I just found a way out through the rubble.”
Ramesh was traveling with his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who sadly did not survive.
Prime Minister Visits Crash Site
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site to assess the situation personally. Rescue teams have been working non-stop to retrieve bodies and search for any remaining evidence.
What’s Next? Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing their investigation, focusing on:
- Engine failure
- Landing gear malfunction
- Pilot response time
- Possible weather factors
- Aircraft maintenance records
The Ministry has promised full transparency and accountability once the investigation concludes.
Conclusion
The Air India AI171 crash has shocked the world. As investigators work tirelessly to uncover the truth, families and friends of the victims continue to mourn this heartbreaking loss. The sole survivor’s miraculous escape remains a rare glimmer of hope in this immense tragedy.
