Tragedy Over Ahmedabad: Air India Dreamliner Crashes After Takeoff, 242 Onboard.

In a devastating aviation disaster, Air India flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff on Thursday afternoon, June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 people including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, went down near Meghaninagar, just outside the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Thick black smoke billowed across the skyline, visible as far as Vastrapur, sending waves of panic through local residents.

This incident marks India’s first major air crash in five years. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed the accident, revealing that the aircraft issued a mayday call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments after departing from Runway 23 at 1:39 pm IST. Tragically, communication with the aircraft ceased soon afterward.

The flight was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with 8,200 hours of flight time, accompanied by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours. According to Flightradar24, the jet, registered VT-ANB, had earlier flown from Delhi to Ahmedabad before its ill-fated international leg to London’s Gatwick Airport.

Eyewitnesses in Meghaninagar described a loud explosion followed by plumes of dense smoke. Emergency response units, including the fire department and disaster response teams, arrived at the scene swiftly. Rescue operations were ongoing at the time of reporting, and the condition of survivors, if any, remained unclear.

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was reportedly on the passenger manifest, though official confirmation regarding his safety was awaited.

Air India issued a brief statement on X (formerly Twitter): “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest.”

Aviation experts have noted that the aircraft’s sudden crash so soon after takeoff points to either a critical mechanical failure or a major systems malfunction. An official inquiry has been launched, and a black box recovery team has been dispatched to aid in the investigation.

This catastrophic event is a grim reminder of several past aviation tragedies in India:

Kozhikode, 2020 – Air India Express Flight IX-1344 crashed while attempting to land during heavy rain on August 7, 2020. The Boeing 737-800, operating under the Vande Bharat Mission from Dubai, overshot Kozhikode’s tabletop runway, plunged into a 30-foot gorge, and split into two. The accident claimed 21 lives, including both pilots, and left more than 100 injured.

Mangalore, 2010 – On May 22, 2010, Air India Express Flight IX-812, also a Boeing 737-800, overshot the runway at Mangalore Airport and plunged into a ravine, igniting a blaze that killed 158 of the 166 people onboard. Only 8 passengers survived, mostly seated in the front rows.

Patna, 1998 – Alliance Air Flight 7412 crashed near Patna Airport on July 17, 1998, after losing control during a go-around attempt. The Boeing 737-2A8 crashed into a residential area, killing 60 people, including 5 on the ground.

Thursday’s tragedy adds another sorrowful chapter to India’s aviation history. Authorities are now focused on recovery operations, identifying victims, and launching a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and assured full support to the agencies handling the crisis.

As the nation reels from the shock, aviation safety standards and aircraft maintenance protocols are likely to come under renewed scrutiny, with calls for enhanced oversight of domestic and international carriers.

Team Maverick.