Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Kills 241 – Air India AI‑171 Disaster

On June 12, 2025 a tragic incident happened over Ahmedabad. Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed at approximately 13:38 IST, just 30 seconds after taking off. It was taking off from  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport of Ahmedabad to London Gatwick. This aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. It plummeted into the neighborhood building of B.J. Medical College's hostel block in the Meghaninagar.

Onboard fatalities were 241 and only one person survived among them. This crash also damaged the ground population. Killed at least 38 individuals and injured over 60. Many of whom were students in the hostel. At least 279 are total confirmed fatalities. British national Vishwashw Kumar Ramesh was the sole survivor. He escaped via an emergency exit and now remains hospitalized.

The wreckage crushed part of the hostel during lunchtime. The gems were lost in this incident such as 21 year old MBBS student Aryan Kirar. He was from a small village near Gwalior. He was described as brilliant and determined student. He was only hope of his grieving family. Another crew member was a  22-year-old Irfan Shaikh. He had just resumed his duty after Eid celebrations.

On the initial evidence and speculation, one black box has been recovered. However, investigations are underway by Indian and international teams. According to aviation analysts the aircraft failed to climb as expected. It just climbed to 625 feet and issued a mayday. Then it crashed roughly one mile south of the runway.

Captain Steve suggests that the co pilot may have retracted the flaps instead of the landing gear and lead to loss of lift. Aviation consultant Keith Tonkin said that the sequence was unusually rapid and dismissed engine failure. Aviation lawyer Peter Carter proposed that takeoff may have occurred without reaching proper speed. There was no evidence of external interference like weather conditions and bird strikes.