Air India Boeing 787 Crashes in Ahmedabad, Killing Over 270; Investigation Underway

A London-bound Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flight AI 171, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Thursday, June 12, 2025, resulting in a devastating loss of life. As of today, Saturday, June 14, 2025, the death toll has tragically climbed to at least 270, making it one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades.

The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers, 10 crew members, and 2 pilots, with 242 people on board in total, was bound for London Gatwick Airport. It departed Ahmedabad at approximately 1:39 PM local time. Moments after lifting off, the pilot, Captain Sumit Sabharwal, issued a “Mayday” distress call, signaling a full emergency. The plane reportedly climbed to just 650 feet before rapidly losing altitude. Air Traffic Control (ATC) Ahmedabad lost contact almost immediately.

The Boeing 787 crashed at 1:40 PM into a medical college hostel complex in Meghaninagar, a residential area just 2 kilometers from the airport runway. The impact caused a massive fireball, igniting the buildings and trapping many inside.

Out of the 242 individuals on board, only one passenger, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, miraculously survived. He is currently receiving treatment at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad and is reported to be in stable condition. Tragically, the crash also claimed lives on the ground, with initial reports indicating at least 29 fatalities in the medical college complex, bringing the total confirmed death toll to 270. Victims on the ground include medical students, doctors, their family members, and other residents of the affected neighborhood.

Forensic teams are now engaged in the grim task of identifying remains, many of which are charred or mutilated, through DNA testing. Families of the victims have been urged to provide DNA samples to assist in this process.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India has launched a sweeping investigation into the cause of the crash. The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR), commonly known as the “black boxes,” were recovered on Friday, June 13, from the rooftop of the medical college hostel. These devices are expected to provide crucial insights into the aircraft’s final moments, including engine performance, control settings, and cockpit conversations.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, confirmed the black box recovery and expressed the nation’s grief. “The last two days have been extremely difficult. The accident near Ahmedabad airport has shaken the entire nation,” he stated, conveying his deepest condolences to the grieving families.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered extended surveillance and technical inspections of Air India’s entire fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners in India, of which there are 34. Eight of these aircraft have already undergone inspection, with the rest to be examined “with immediate urgency.” This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in 16 years of operation worldwide.

Preliminary theories being considered by investigators include potential issues with wing flap settings, engine power loss, and whether crucial data regarding outside temperature and aircraft weight was correctly inputted by the crew. Both Boeing and GE Aerospace (whose engines power the 787) have pledged their full support to the ongoing investigation. The Indian government has also constituted a high-level, multi-disciplinary committee to conduct a parallel probe.