Breaking News: Air India Flight AI171 Crash
What happened:
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, departed Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 13:38 IST, bound for London Gatwick. Minutes after liftoff, the aircraft crashed into a residential and educational area in Meghani Nagar, near the airport, striking a medical college hostel and
adjacent buildings
Casualties:
Onboard: 242 individuals (230 passengers + 12 crew)
Fatalities: At least 204 confirmed dead; later one survivor (seat 11A) found, under treatment
Ground casualties: At least 5 people in buildings struck by the aircraft
Injured: Estimated 41, including the sole survivor and residents at crash site
Victims on Flight:
Passengers included 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian
Aircraft & Crew Details:
Tail number: VT‑ANB, introduced around 2014, with high flight hours
Pilots: Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (≈8,200 hours) and First Officer Clive Kundar (≈1,100 hours), both experienced. A MAYDAY was issued shortly after takeoff, but no further contact was received
Firsts & Significance:
This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its service inception, and remains the most deadly aviation disaster globally in a decade
Ongoing Response & Investigation
Rescue efforts: Over 70 fire trucks, ambulances, Army, NDRF, and Coast Guard deployed; emergency hospital set up on-site
Authorities: India’s AAIB, DGCA, Boeing, and the UK’s AAIB are investigating
Aircraft engine analysis: GE Aerospace team dispatched; Boeing stock slid after initial reports