Air India Boeing 787 Crashes During Takeoff from Ahmedabad

A Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Air India crashed during its departure from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The widebody twinjet aircraft was conducting a regularly scheduled passenger service bound for London Gatwick Airport when the tragic incident unfolded. Flight tracking systems recorded the aircraft’s final transmission at an altitude of approximately 625 feet before contact was lost with air traffic control.

Smoke Plumes Visible from Airport Vicinity

Dramatic footage has emerged from Air India Boeing 787 crash site showing an enormous black smoke cloud billowing near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The airport serves as a hub for Air India‘s London operations, with the carrier maintaining five weekly services to London Gatwick Airport. Air India has officially acknowledged the incident occurred, though anxious families and aviation authorities continue awaiting comprehensive details from India’s national flag carrier.

Air India Boeing 787 Crash Flight AI171 Details

The aircraft involved has been identified as Air India flight 171, which departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport earlier today with London Gatwick Airport as its intended destination. Initial passenger manifest reports have varied significantly, with estimates ranging between 133 and 242 individuals aboard the aircraft. Air India released an official statement addressing the situation, stating:

“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on http://airindia.com and on our X handle (https://x.com/airindia).”

UPDATE: BBC reporting has subsequently confirmed that Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Chief of India’s Directorate of Civil Aviation, has provided official figures indicating 230 passengers and 12 crew members were aboard the aircraft.

Flightradar24’s coverage indicates that available tracking data shows the aircraft achieved a maximum altitude of approximately 625 feet before the crash occurred beyond the airport’s perimeter boundaries.

Multiple reports suggest the Air India Boeing 787 crash was in a residential area surrounding the airport.

This air crash is the first major crash involving Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner family, despite the aircraft type having experienced various minor incidents throughout its operational history.

Gatwick Airport Issues Statement

London Gatwick Airport, which was the scheduled arrival destination for Air India flight 171, has released their own statement confirming that

“AI171, that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today, was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25.”

The specific aircraft involved in the accident is a Boeing 787-8 bearing the registration VT-ANB, which had been scheduled to operate a return flight to Goa later this evening. This subsequent service has now been cancelled following the crash.

According to ch-aviation records, the crashed aircraft VT-ANB represents one of 27 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners currently operating within Air India’s fleet. The aircraft has been in service for 11.5 years and features a seating configuration of 259 passengers arranged in a two-class layout.

Disturbing footage capturing the aircraft’s final moments has appeared on social media platforms, showing the plane gradually losing altitude before erupting in a massive explosion characterized by intense fire and thick smoke.

Content warning – viewer discretion is advised.

Official Passenger Count

BBC reporting has subsequently confirmed that Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Chief of India’s Directorate of Civil Aviation, has provided official figures indicating 230 passengers and 12 crew members were aboard the aircraft, representing the higher end of initially circulated estimates. Air India’s Chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, issued a comprehensive statement addressing the tragedy:

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.”

Airport Operations Halted

The BBC reports that a spokesperson for Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad has confirmed that all airport operations have been temporarily suspended following the accident. The crash has triggered a massive emergency response from local authorities, with Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat’s Chief Minister, having “instructed officials to arrange a green corridor to transport the injured passengers for treatment.”

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an official statement confirming that the aircraft crew “gave a MAYDAY Call to ATC, but thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC.”

The accident has had immediate financial repercussions in the aviation industry, with Reuters reporting that Boeing shares have experienced a “fall [of] 7.8% to $197.3 in premarket trade,” though the US aircraft manufacturer has not yet responded to media requests for official comment regarding the incident.

Air India Boeing 787 Crash Updates:

• Boeing released its first statement:
  • “We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.“
• Airport Operations Resume as Casualty Details Emerge
  • Recent developments reported by the BBC have revealed that the aircraft struck a residential building that served as accommodation for local medical doctors. Many of these doctors have been successfully rescued from their apartments following the crash. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has since resumed normal operations after the temporary suspension. While various media reports indicate that the local police chief has stated that “there appear to be no survivors,” official confirmation of exact casualty figures has not yet been provided by authorities.

Youssef Yahya

Youssef Yahya is the CEO and Founder of Aviation for Aviators, a platform dedicated to the aviation industry. With over 3 years of experience as an aviation writer, Youssef is passionate about sharing his insights on aviation, entrepreneurship, and the broader business landscape. As a Teaching Assistant in Entrepreneurship at Nile University, he also nurtures the next generation of entrepreneurs. When he’s not exploring the skies or business ventures, you can find him saying, ‘Drag your coffee, and let’s talk aviation, entrepreneurship, and football.’

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