Air India Flight AI171 Crash: India’s Deadliest Aviation Tragedy in Decades

What began as an ordinary summer day turned into one of India’s darkest aviation chapters when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, plunged into tragedy just moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Bound for London Gatwick, the aircraft crashed into a medical hostel in the densely populated Meghaninagar neighbourhood, claiming a catastrophic number of lives and sending shockwaves across the nation and beyond.

The aircraft, registered VT-ANB, had lifted off at 10:32 PM IST and disappeared from radar within two minutes. At 10:34 PM, it slammed into a four-story residential building at B.J. Medical College, housing dozens of young medical students. The resulting explosion and fire lit up the Ahmedabad skyline and sent plumes of thick black smoke high into the night sky.

Air India Flight Crash: Death Toll and Sole Survivor

The Air India Flight AI171 crash has officially become one of the deadliest aviation disasters in modern Indian history. The aircraft carried 242 people—230 passengers and 12 crew members. Among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian. Tragically, the exact number of fatalities is still fluctuating.

Initial figures from Reuters placed the death toll at over 290, accounting for casualties on board and on the ground. Confirmations from NDTV and The Indian Express report at least 204 confirmed deaths, though the numbers are expected to rise as identification and recovery operations continue.

In a heartbreaking twist of fate, there was only one confirmed survivor from the flight: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 29-year-old British-Indian software engineer from Birmingham, UK. Seated in row 11A near an emergency exit, Ramesh sustained multiple injuries but survived thanks to what he called a “miracle and the courage of a stranger who pulled me from fire.” His emotional statement to BBC News described the moments before impact as a “metallic grinding noise” followed by a “violent nosedive.”

On the ground, three medical students died, and over 45 others were injured, many critically. The hostel collapse added layers of devastation to an already calamitous night.

Timeline and Crash Dynamics

According to Flightradar24, Flight AI171 achieved a brief climb to 625 feet (190 meters) before rapidly descending at 475 feet per minute. Approximately 40 seconds after takeoff, air traffic control received a Mayday call, but no further communication followed. The plane struck the hostel at a steep angle and high speed, sparking a massive explosion.

Eyewitnesses described “a mushroom of flames” and “a sound like a thousand thunders.” Images and videos posted on X (formerly Twitter) and broadcast by ANI captured the Dreamliner’s tail wedged among the rubble—a haunting emblem of what had occurred.

Aircraft and Possible Causes

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, in service with Air India since 2012, had no prior maintenance issues, according to official airline records. This was the first-ever fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, raising global concern over the aircraft’s safety profile.

While the investigation remains ongoing, early hypotheses suggest a catastrophic mechanical failure, engine malfunction, or external obstruction within the first 90 seconds of flight. The speed and severity of the descent strongly imply systemic failure, though nothing has been officially ruled out.

Emergency and Medical Response

Ahmedabad mobilized within minutes. Local authorities, including Ahmedabad Fire Brigade, SDRF, and Gujarat Police, were joined by national teams from NDRF, CRPF, and even the Indian Army. The Indian Coast Guard facilitated logistical support.

More than 100 ambulances and 250 medical personnel worked through the night, with Civil Hospital Ahmedabad as the central triage facility. However, the inferno and risk of structural collapse hindered deeper rescue efforts. By 11:00 PM, search operations had turned into recovery missions.

Air India Flight Crash: National Impact and Airport Lockdown

The Air India Flight AI171 crash triggered nationwide mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “a soul-shattering tragedy,” and a state-wide day of mourning was declared in Gujarat.

Key developments include:

• Airport Closure: Ahmedabad airport suspended all operations. Over 50 flights were canceled or diverted.

• Curfew: Authorities enforced a curfew in Meghaninagar, sealing off a 2-kilometer radius.

• Compensation: Tata Group pledged ₹1 crore per deceased family and full medical expense coverage for survivors.

• State Aid: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel announced additional compensation and long-term support.

• High-profile Victim: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the passengers confirmed dead, with tributes pouring in from leaders across party lines.

Global Investigation and Scrutiny

India’s DGCA and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) launched a joint probe. Both black boxes (CVR and FDR) were successfully recovered and sent for analysis. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are actively involved, alongside representatives from Boeing and General Electric, makers of the GEnx engines.

International cooperation is crucial, especially given the aircraft’s export origin, engine design, and the international composition of the passenger list.

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