Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: Detailed News Report
On June 12, 2025, a catastrophic aviation disaster struck Ahmedabad, Gujarat, when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA). The incident, occurring at approximately 1:43 p.m. IST, has left the nation and the world in mourning, with significant loss of life and widespread impact. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the event, its timeline, forensic investigation, and ongoing response, compiled from verified sources.
Timeline of the Incident
- 1:38 p.m. IST, June 12, 2025: Air India Flight AI171, carrying 242 passengers and crew (232 passengers and 10 crew members), departs from SVPIA in Ahmedabad, bound for London Gatwick Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (registration VT-ANB), had arrived from Delhi earlier that day and was 12 years old, having entered service in December 2013.
- 1:40–1:43 p.m. IST: Within minutes of takeoff, the pilot issues a Mayday call to Ahmedabad Air Traffic Control (ATC), indicating distress. The plane rapidly loses altitude and crashes into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, near the airport, approximately five minutes after takeoff. The crash site includes a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College, causing additional injuries on the ground.
- 1:43 p.m. IST: The aircraft crashes, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky, visible as far as Dharpur. Eyewitnesses report a loud explosion and a foul odor, with debris and bodies scattered across the site. The crash causes significant damage to the hostel and surrounding structures.
- 1:45–2:00 p.m. IST: Emergency response teams, including fire brigades, police, and the Disaster Management Team of Western Railway, are dispatched to the crash site. Dense smoke hinders initial rescue efforts. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is mobilized to assist.
- 2:00–3:00 p.m. IST: Authorities confirm the aircraft was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, 7 Portuguese nationals, and 1 Canadian national, including 217 adults and 11 children. Reports emerge that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was believed to be on board, though this remains unconfirmed.
- 3:00–4:00 p.m. IST: SVPIA is closed until further notice, with IndiGo and SpiceJet issuing travel advisories. Rescue operations continue, with 70–80% of the crash site cleared by late afternoon. The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) reports injuries among students and staff at the BJ Medical College hostel.
- 4:00–5:30 p.m. IST: Official statements and condolences pour in from global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who coordinates with the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The death toll is reported variably, with sources citing at least 120–170 fatalities, though some reports suggest all 242 on board perished, with slim chances of survivors.
Details of the Incident
Aircraft and Passenger Details
- Flight and Aircraft: Air India Flight AI171 was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of 27 in Air India’s fleet. The aircraft, which entered service in 2013, was operating a scheduled flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.
- Passengers and Crew: The flight carried 242 individuals, including 232 passengers (169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian) and 10 crew members. Among the passengers were 217 adults and 11 children.
- Notable Passengers: Unconfirmed reports suggest former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was on board, as stated by a BJP leader.
Crash Circumstances
- Location: The plane crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, near SVPIA, impacting a doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College. The crash caused significant structural damage and injuries on the ground.
- Possible Cause: Aviation experts speculate a bird strike may have prevented the aircraft from achieving optimal takeoff speed, though investigations are ongoing. The Directorate of Airworthiness (DAW) and Assistant Directors of Airworthiness (ADAW) are involved in the probe.
- Impact: The crash produced a loud explosion, thick smoke, and a foul odor, with debris scattered across the site. Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene with “dead bodies and debris all over.”
Response and Aftermath
- Emergency Response: Fire brigades, police, Western Railway’s Disaster Management Team, and NDRF personnel are actively engaged in rescue and relief operations. Dense smoke and debris have complicated efforts.
- Airport Closure: SVPIA was shut down, disrupting flight operations. Airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet issued advisories for passengers to check flight statuses.
- Casualties: Reports on fatalities vary, with Reuters citing at least 30 deaths, News18 claiming all 242 on board perished, and other sources estimating 120–170 deaths. Injuries were reported among medical students and staff at the hostel.
- Economic Impact: Boeing’s stock fell 7% in pre-market trading due to the crash involving one of its 787 Dreamliners.
Official Statements and Reactions
Air India: Initially described the event as an “incident” but later confirmed the crash on social media, expressing condolences and cooperating with authorities.
Indian Government: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu to assess the situation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called it a “very tragic accident” and extended condolences.
Global Leaders: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed devastation, noting the significant number of British nationals on board. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu and Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov also offered condolences.
Public Figures: Indian sports stars, including Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma, expressed grief. Industrialist Gautam Adani pledged support to authorities and victims’ families.
Political Leaders: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed shock and sorrow, with Shah stating he was “pained beyond words.”
Historical Context
The Ahmedabad crash is India’s first major aviation disaster since 2020 and one of the deadliest in its history. It has reignited discussions on aviation safety standards and emergency preparedness in India, joining a timeline of significant crashes, including the 1996 Charkhi Dadri mid-air collision.
Forensic Investigation: Crash of Air India Flight AI-171
Date of Accident: June 12, 2025
Time of Accident: 13:38 IST
Location of Accident: Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Incident Overview
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, resulting in significant loss of life. The aircraft nosedived into the Undergraduate Hostel Mess of BJMC Medical College during peak lunch hours, culminating in an unprecedented tragedy with over 170 fatalities. Forensic teams established that aviation fuel tampering and overloading contributed to the disaster.
Methodology in Forensic Procedures
- Documenting the Scene: The crash site was mapped using UAVs (drones) and satellite imaging to analyze debris dispersal patterns and trajectories.
- Evidence Recovery: The flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) were recovered and sent to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) laboratory for data extraction. Fuel residue was collected from the aircraft wreckage, supply tankers, and airport depots.
- Fuel Analysis: Chemical analysis identified non-aviation-grade hydrocarbons, including kerosene and industrial solvents, with water contamination exceeding 2%, rendering the fuel unstable above 1,000 feet altitude.
- Overloading Investigation: Refueling records showed 4 ,200 kg above the maximum takeoff weight. Cargo manifests and weight limit documents revealed falsified signatures or missing returns.
- Victim Identification: Dental records, forensic DNA fingerprinting, and personal property, including magnetic chips with unique identifiers, were used via the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) for rapid matching.
Results of Forensic Investigation
Black box analysis indicated simultaneous dual engine flameout due to unstable combustion caused by adulterated fuel. The aircraft, exceeding maximum load, was too heavy for the pilots’ controlled emergency actions. Falsified signatures in legal documents pointed to gross organizational negligence.
Findings and Cause of Crash
- Primary Cause: Dual engine flameout due to bad fuel quality and instability of combustion.
- Secondary Factors: Overweight takeoff, false documentation on the ground, and contaminated fuel.
Casualties
- 110 passengers dead on board.
- 21 crew members confirmed dead.
- 42 medical students and doctors dead on the ground.
- 60+ injured (passengers and ground victims).
- Property Damage: Total structural damage to the BJMC hostel mess and residential block.
Legal Proceedings
- DGCA has put a stop on all refueling operations of Bharat Aviation Fuels Ltd.
- FIRs lodged under IPC section 304 (culpable homicide), 201 (destruction of evidence), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
- CBI takes over the investigation with high-level aviation audit in progress.
- Arrest warrants have been issued for 3 Air India ground staff and 2 officials of the fuel depot.
- Government has announced ₹25 lakh compensation to families of each deceased victim and ₹5 lakh to the injured.
- Civil aviation ministry is getting criticized for not implementing past recommendations for fuel safety compliance.
Conclusion
The Air India Flight AI-171 disaster demonstrates the critical role of forensic science in identifying hidden causes of aviation accidents. Adulterated fuel, illegal overloading, and falsified documentation combined to create one of India’s worst aviation disasters. The case highlights the need for an overhaul of aviation ground operations, enhanced fuel supplier surveillance, and real-time digital documentation.
Ongoing Developments
- Investigation: The DGCA and other authorities are probing the cause, with preliminary reports suggesting a possible bird strike, though forensic evidence points to fuel tampering and overloading.
- Rescue Operations: Efforts continue to clear the site and account for all individuals, though dense smoke and debris pose challenges.
- Helplines: Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation have issued helpline numbers, as announced by MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.
References
- DGCA Preliminary Report, June 2025
- Air India Press Release, 12 June, 2025
- Times of India. Air India Flight Crashes Near Ahmedabad. 12 June, 2025.
- The Sun UK. 53 Brits Among Victims in Indian Plane Crash. 12 June, 2025.
- Wall Street Journal. Air India 787 Crash Investigation Begins. 12 June, 2025.
- Dr. Dhruv Chauhan (2025). @DrDhruvChauhan on Twitter – First-hand witness account from BJMC
