Air India Crash Today: Flight AI171 Goes Down After Takeoff in Ahmedabad

Air India Crash Today :  Flight AI171, a Boeing 787, crashed post-takeoff in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar. Carrying 242, it issued a “Mayday” before impact, killing at least 30. Rescue operations continue; AAIB investigates. Airport closed. Helplines: 1800 5691 444, 9974111327.

Catastrophic Crash Shakes Ahmedabad

AnAir India Crash : Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. IST (8:08 a.m. GMT). The aircraft plummeted into the Meghani Nagar residential area, causing widespread devastation. The flight carried 242 passengers and crew, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. At least 30 fatalities have been confirmed, with the death toll likely to rise.

Distress Call and Immediate Aftermath

Flightradar24 and air traffic control reported a “Mayday” distress signal from the aircraft seconds before it vanished from radar. Eyewitnesses saw the plane struggling to climb, falling from 625–825 feet and erupting into flames upon impact. Black smoke billowed from the crash site near a doctors’ hostel in Meghaninagar, where debris, including the plane’s tail, remains embedded in a building. The tragedy has left the community reeling.

Emergency Response Overwhelmed

More than 400 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, firefighters, and medical teams are responding at the scene, extinguishing fires and searching for survivors. Local hospitals are swamped, with reports of “chaos” as they treat critically injured victims. Over 100 bodies have been recovered, including medical students killed when the plane hit their hostel. Rescue efforts continue amid challenging conditions.

Boeing’s Safety Record Under Scrutiny

This is the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model with nearly 5 million flights since 2011. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about Boeing’s safety standards, with shares dropping over 7% in pre-market trading, erasing $10 billion in market value. A 2024 whistleblower report citing production issues, including faulty electrical inspections on the 787, has fueled speculation about potential mechanical failures.

Air India Crash : Investigation Launched

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are leading the investigation, with Boeing likely to provide technical support. Early theories include loss of thrust, lift problems, or a bird strike, but no cause has been confirmed. Investigators will analyze flight data recorders and the aircraft’s maintenance history to determine the factors behind the crash.

Leaders Express Grief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences, saying, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the scenes as “devastating,” and Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles III is being briefed. Air India has set up a passenger hotline (1800 5691 444) and an emergency helpline (9974111327) for affected families.

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Airport Operations Halted

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has suspended all operations following the crash. Passengers are urged to contact their airlines for updates. As one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent years, this tragedy has left the nation in mourning while questions about aviation safety loom large.