Air India AI-171 Crash in Ahmedabad: 260 Dead, Only One Survivor | June 12, 2025
Published by: The IV Pilar News
Updated: July 13, 2025
Top Line Summary
A major aviation tragedy struck India on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed just minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad airport, killing 260 people—including 241 onboard and 19 on the ground. The crash occurred in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area of the city. One survivor, a British-Indian national, was rescued alive.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Flight: AI-171 | Air India | Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
- Route: Ahmedabad (AMD) to London Gatwick (LGW)
- Takeoff Time: 13:38 IST
- Crash Site: B.J. Medical College hostel, Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad
- Fatalities: 260 (241 onboard, 19 on ground)
- Survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (27), in stable condition
Immediate Impact
The aircraft reportedly lost thrust and altitude within 30–40 seconds after takeoff. It issued a brief Mayday call, then plunged into a government hostel building, triggering explosions and fire. Locals described the horror of “burning debris falling from the sky.”
Rescue and Emergency Response
- First Responders: NDRF, fire services, and police arrived within 15 minutes.
- Assets Deployed: 22 fire tenders, 50 ambulances, over 200 personnel
- Medical Aid: Patients taken to Civil Hospital, Zydus, and Apollo
- Government Response: PM Narendra Modi, CM Bhupendra Patel visited crash site; ₹1 crore compensation announced for victims’ families
Investigation Underway
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) began a high-level probe. Teams from DGCA, Boeing, and US NTSB are involved.
Early Findings:
- Primary Cause: Accidental activation of fuel cut-off switches from “RUN” to “CUTOFF”
- Result: Total engine power failure
- Cockpit Confusion: CVR shows crew unsure who triggered the switch
- Mechanical Fault: No evidence so far
- Boeing Advisory: A 2018 non-mandatory alert on fuel switch lock was not implemented by Air India
Aircraft and Crew Details
- Aircraft ID: VT-ANB | 11 years old
- Captain: Sumeet Sabharwal (15,600+ flight hours)
- First Officer: Clive Kunder (3,400+ flight hours)
- Aircraft Status: Well-maintained, recently inspected
Official and Public Reactions
- Air India: “Devastated by this tragedy, fully cooperating with investigation.”
- DGCA: Grounded all Boeing 787s in AI’s fleet for full inspection
- Public Anger: Sparked by delayed safety reforms and non-adherence to Boeing advisory
- Opposition Leaders: Demanding accountability from DGCA and MoCA
Aviation Implications
- Flight Numbers AI-171/172 permanently retired
- Dreamliner fleet inspections intensified nationwide
- Possible Global Recall if switch design flaws are confirmed
- Pilot Retraining Programs in progress for all Dreamliner pilots in India
Background
This crash marks the deadliest air accident in India since the Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision (1996). It is also the first-ever fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner globally.
In 2018, Boeing warned airlines about possible accidental toggling of fuel switches, recommending but not mandating design upgrades. Air India, under Tata Group since 2022, did not install the locking mechanism.
What’s Next?
- Final Report: Expected within 90 days
- Legal Action: Families may sue for negligence
- Reforms Expected: DGCA to issue mandatory design compliance rules
- Boeing’s Role: May redesign or retrofit fuel switch safeguards across all 787s
The Ahmedabad Air India crash has shaken the aviation sector and revealed alarming lapses in safety protocols and human error management. With investigations ongoing, India’s civil aviation industry faces urgent pressure to strengthen regulation, modernize safety systems, and restore public confidence