Air India flight to London crashes near Ahmedabad with 242 onboard

Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Heathrow, crashed shortly after takeoff near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight was carrying 242 people — 230 passengers and 12 crew members — when it met with a devastating mishap near Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area adjacent to the airport.

Flight AI171, a long-haul international service operated by Air India, took off at around 13:38 IST, bound for London Heathrow. Shortly after takeoff, within minutes, the aircraft reportedly experienced technical failure. Initial reports suggest a possible engine malfunction or bird hit as potential causes, though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stated that a formal investigation is now underway.

Eyewitnesses in the Meghani Nagar locality said they heard a deafening noise followed by flames and thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The aircraft plummeted into an open field area beside a cluster of buildings, narrowly missing residential structures — a scenario which could have made the tragedy far worse.

Emergency Response

Emergency services responded within minutes, with seven fire engines, ambulances, and disaster response teams rushing to the site. The crash resulted in a massive blaze, and firefighters were seen battling flames amid twisted metal and debris. Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams sifting through the wreckage to find survivors and assess casualties.

As of the time of reporting, official figures on fatalities and injuries have not been released, though local hospitals have been placed on high alert and blood donation requests have been circulated citywide.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has called for an immediate technical audit of all Boeing 787 aircraft currently operating under Air India, stating:

“We will ensure every support to those affected and will get to the root cause of this failure. The safety of our citizens is paramount.”

Air India, in its brief statement, confirmed the accident and said:

“We are deeply distressed by this tragic incident. Our thoughts are with the families of all onboard. A special task force has been deployed to assist authorities and coordinate support.”

The airline has also set up emergency response helplines in Ahmedabad, Delhi, and London for families seeking information about their loved ones.

"As per ATC, aircraft departed from Ahmadabad at 1339 IST (0809 UTC) from runway 23. It gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. Aircraft Immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site," the DGCA said.

Air India, too, confirmed that Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident. "At this moment, we are ascertaining the details," it said in a post on X.

Aircraft and Technical Details

The aircraft involved in the crash was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the most advanced aircraft in the Air India fleet, known for its fuel efficiency and long-haul capabilities. It was reportedly 8 years old, last serviced in April 2025, and had a clean maintenance record as per preliminary logs. Flight data and cockpit voice recorders — commonly referred to as black boxes — have been recovered and sent to the DGCA and Indian Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) for analysis.

According to an unverified Air Traffic Control (ATC) log, the pilot may have radioed a “technical emergency” moments before the crash, requesting an immediate return to the airport. However, the aircraft lost altitude too rapidly to complete the maneuver.

National Mourning and Global Attention

The crash has sparked mourning not just in India but globally, particularly in London, which was the destination for many business travelers and families on vacation or returning home. The UK Foreign Office issued a statement extending cooperation and offering consular assistance to British nationals on the manifest.

Several international airlines and aviation watchdogs have also raised questions about the airworthiness protocols in high-temperature summer takeoffs, which are particularly challenging for fully loaded aircraft.

Education Community's Silent Tribute

Educational institutions and student organizations across India have also joined the national mourning. Several university groups called for a moment of silence in classrooms, as the passenger list reportedly included students heading to the UK for summer research programs and university admissions. Names are yet to be released, pending identification and family notifications.

What Happens Next?

The DGCA, in cooperation with Air India, Boeing, and international investigators, will lead a detailed inquiry. A preliminary report is expected within 10 days, though full conclusions may take months.

Until then, operations from Ahmedabad International Airport are partially suspended, with flights being rerouted to Mumbai and Udaipur. Meanwhile, families wait in agony for updates, and a nation mourns a tragedy that no one expected on what should have been a routine summer morning.