Ahmedabad, June 12, 2025 — Early this afternoon, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed into the Meghani Nagar residential area shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The flight lifted off at approximately 1:38 PM IST and lost radar contact at around 625 feet altitude after issuing a mayday call .
Passenger and Crew Manifest
The aircraft carried 242 individuals — 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Nationalities on board included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian
Emergency Response under Way
First responders, including multiple fire units, ambulances, and National Disaster Response Force teams, rushed to the crash site amid thick smoke seen across the area.
Ahmedabad airport operations were temporarily suspended as rescue efforts intensified. Injured survivors have been taken to nearby hospitals; official casualty figures remain pending
Flight and Crew Details
- Aircraft: Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, registration VT‑ANB, approximately 11 years old.
- Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (8,200 flight hours) and first officer Clive Kundar (1,100 hours) were in command
VIP Passenger Reports
Several outlets reported that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was listed on the passenger manifest. India Today reported a check-in under “Vijay Ramniklal Rupani” in business class. His office later confirmed he sustained serious injuries
Official Statements & Investigations
- Air India confirmed on social media platform X that Flight AI 171 was “involved in an incident” and is coordinating with authorities.
- India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and Home Minister Amit Shah have indicated that central government teams are actively assisting with rescue operations.
- An official investigation into the cause is underway, led by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, with support from technical teams and aircraft manufacturer Boeing
Context and Significance
This appears to be the first fatal hull loss of the Boeing 787 family since its 2009 service entry. The crash marks a major setback for Air India and prompts urgent questions about aviation safety for long-haul widebody jets.
What happens next: Authorities and Air India have launched a thorough probe. Updates will follow on confirmed casualty numbers, technical findings, and the health status of all passengers, including former CM Rupani.
