On June 12, 2025, at around 1:39 PM, an Air India flight, AI171, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and crashed shortly after. The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers, 10 cabin crew, and 2 pilots. The flight was bound for London. Tragically, 260 lives were lost, which included all passengers and crew on board, as well as 19 people in nearby buildings. Only one person survived the incident.
The flight had taken off from RWY 23 and collided with a hostel near B.J. Medical College just 0.9 nautical miles from the airport. Preliminary reports indicate that both engines failed suddenly due to a cut-off in the fuel control switch, causing the plane to crash before gaining altitude. The aircraft struck multiple trees and five buildings, leading to significant damage and a fire.
The plane was completely destroyed, leaving only wreckage behind. Both pilots were experienced and held valid licenses, and they had rested adequately before the flight. Weather conditions were favourable at the time of the crash, with visibility at 6000 meters and no clouds present.
Investigations revealed four minor malfunctions on the aircraft, including issues with the flight deck door camera and FDR printer. Further examination showed that the throttle quadrant and fuel control switch were cut off unexpectedly during operation. Data from the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder provided crucial insights into the aircraft’s dynamics and communication between the pilots during the flight.
The recordings suggested that both engines shut down suddenly after takeoff, with a subsequent attempt to restart them. Unfortunately, the plane was unable to recover due to insufficient altitude and crashed into the hostel. One engine managed to recover, but the other did not.
The analysis of the engines and aircraft parts is ongoing, and fuel samples are being tested in the DGCA laboratory. Statements from the sole survivor and witnesses have been recorded, and data from the flight recorder has been successfully retrieved.
In response to this tragedy, Air India is reviewing its operational protocols to prevent future incidents. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has intensified inspections of Air India’s fleet, particularly the Boeing 787s, and no serious safety flaws have been found so far. However, recommendations for improving maintenance and operational coordination have been made to ensure passenger safety in the future.
This crash has raised serious concerns about the aviation safety standards in India. As investigations continue, many are hoping for answers to prevent such a horrific event from happening again. Air India is also working on alternative arrangements for affected passengers following the cancellation of multiple flights due to operational disruptions caused by this incident. The airline has assured full refunds or free rescheduling for passengers impacted by flight cancellations, which have increased following the crash.