ANJ, June 13 - A catastrophic event unfolded in Ahmedabad, India, on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, marking the first-ever hull loss of this aircraft model. The flight, en route to London Gatwick, carried 242 people, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. Tragically, 241 individuals perished, with only one passenger, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A, surviving the disaster. The crash also claimed additional lives on the ground, as the plane slammed into a residential area, including the dining hall of BJ Medical College, killing at least five medical students and injuring over 60 others.
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The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, delivered to Air India in 2014, was a 12-year-old aircraft known for its fuel efficiency and long-range capabilities, with over 1,000 units operating globally since its introduction in 2009. Until this incident, the Dreamliner had an exemplary safety record, with no recorded hull losses, though it had faced minor issues, such as a 2024 Latam Airlines flight that experienced a sudden descent, injuring two passengers. The Air India crash, occurring just 30 seconds after takeoff at 1:38 p.m. local time, sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, raising questions about the aircraft’s reliability despite its robust history.
Preliminary reports indicate the plane struggled to gain altitude, crashing 1.5 kilometers from the runway in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar area. A massive fire erupted, fueled by the aircraft’s heavy load, complicating rescue efforts. The pilot issued a mayday call moments before the crash, suggesting an immediate and critical issue. Indian authorities, led by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), have launched a thorough investigation, with support from U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and UK experts, adhering to International Civil Aviation Organization protocols. Boeing and engine manufacturer GE Aerospace are also assisting, though the cause remains undetermined, potentially taking months to pinpoint. Speculated factors include engine failure, flap issues, or external factors like a bird strike, though no evidence yet points to manufacturing defects.
The crash has reignited scrutiny of Boeing, already under pressure from prior incidents involving other models, like the 737 Max. In April 2024, a Boeing engineer raised concerns about improperly fastened fuselage sections on the 787, though extensive testing showed no immediate safety risks. U.S. officials, including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, have stated there is no current evidence to justify grounding the 787 fleet. Air India and the Tata Group, its operator, have pledged full cooperation, announcing compensation of Rs 1 crore for victims’ families, with additional payments under the Montreal Convention. This tragedy, the deadliest aviation incident in India in decades, underscores the urgent need for answers to ensure the continued safety of the global 787 fleet.