India Plane Crash: London-Bound Air India Flight Crashes After Take-off, Casualties Feared

Ahmedabad, India – An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, tragically crashed shortly after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad today. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, including 53 British nationals, went down in the residential area of Meghani Nagar, just outside the airport perimeter, triggering immediate large-scale rescue and relief operations.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the flight departed from Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST. Moments after becoming airborne, the flight crew issued a “MAYDAY” call to Air Traffic Control (ATC), but no further communication was received before the plane crashed.

Initial reports and eyewitness accounts describe thick plumes of black smoke billowing from the crash site, indicating a significant fire upon impact. Video footage circulating online reportedly shows the aircraft losing altitude before crashing into a building.While official casualty figures are yet to be released, authorities fear multiple fatalities.

Rescue teams, including firefighters and emergency medical services, were immediately mobilized to the scene. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has instructed officials to carry out “immediate rescue and relief operations” on a “war footing” and to arrange a “green corridor” for the swift transport of injured passengers to hospitals.

All flight operations at Ahmedabad airport have been suspended until further notice.Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran expressed “profound sorrow” and confirmed the “tragic accident” of Flight AI171.

ADVERTISEMENT

He stated that the airline’s primary focus is on supporting all affected individuals and their families, with an emergency center and support teams activated for information.India’s Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, stated he was “shocked and devastated” by the incident and assured that rescue teams have been mobilized with all efforts being made to provide medical aid and relief.

He is personally monitoring the situation.The aircraft, registration VT-ANB, had a capacity of 256 seats. The captain had extensive flying experience of 8,200 hours, while the co-pilot had 1,100 hours.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), with all possible scenarios, including technical failure or bird strike, being examined.

Investigators will be seeking the flight data and cockpit voice recorders to determine the exact circumstances leading to this tragic event.