Ahmedabad– An Air India flight bound for London’s Gatwick Airport crashed into a residential area of Ahmedabad just minutes after takeoff Thursday afternoon, prompting the immediate suspension of operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 passengers, departed Ahmedabad at 1:38 p.m. and went down approximately five minutes later in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated neighborhood near the airport. The crash ignited a massive fire and sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, triggering panic among local residents.
The airport has since halted all arrivals and departures indefinitely. “Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport is currently non-operational. All flight movements are temporarily suspended,” an airport spokesperson confirmed.
Air India has activated an emergency hotline (1800 5691 444) for families and relatives seeking information about passengers. While authorities have yet to confirm the number of casualties or survivors, dramatic images from the crash site show the plane’s fuselage lodged in a hostel building, surrounded by charred debris and heavily damaged structures.
The flight was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a veteran with over 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that the crew issued a “Mayday” distress call shortly after takeoff, before losing contact with air traffic control.
Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft may have suffered multiple bird strikes leading to engine failure, but investigators stress that the exact cause will only be known after a full inquiry. “A team including Assistant Directors of Airworthiness and a Flight Operations Inspector is on-site collecting data,” the DGCA said in a statement.
Emergency services responded rapidly. Seven fire engines and three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams from Gandhinagar were dispatched immediately, with three additional NDRF units being mobilized from Vadodara to aid in rescue and recovery efforts.
Air India confirmed the incident on social media: “Flight AI171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an incident on June 12, 2025. We are determining the facts and will share updates as soon as available.” The airline also said it is fully cooperating with investigators.
According to Flightradar24, the aircraft bore the registration VT-ANB and had completed an earlier flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad earlier in the day.
Passenger records reviewed by India Today show the flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Among the passengers was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is heading to Ahmedabad to assess the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also been briefed and has ordered swift rescue and relief operations.
Authorities are continuing search and recovery efforts as the investigation into the cause of the crash unfolds. (Source: IANS)
