Air India Flight Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad with Over 240 Onboard

Air India Flight Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad, Killing Over 240

AHMEDABAD, India — An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick crashed into a residential area shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people on board. The flight, AI171, is now among the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.

Details of the Crash and Immediate Aftermath

The aircraft, carrying 242 passengers and crew, went down minutes after takeoff, striking a medical college hostel and igniting a large fire. At least five medical students inside the building were killed, according to a local medical association official. The impact and ensuing blaze left most victims charred beyond recognition, as reported by Vidhi Chaudhary, a senior police official in Ahmedabad, a city of over five million residents and the capital of Gujarat state.

Remarkably, one passenger survived the crash. Ramesh Viswashkumar, seated near an emergency exit, was ejected from the aircraft as it broke apart. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed meeting Viswashkumar at the hospital, where doctors described him as disoriented but stable despite multiple injuries. According to medical staff, Viswashkumar recounted the plane’s sudden descent immediately after takeoff, its midair breakup, and his ejection prior to a loud explosion.

Security camera footage verified by the Associated Press captured the jet’s rapid descent before it crashed into the college building. Social media videos further documented the aircraft’s slow fall and the massive fireball that followed as it disappeared behind nearby houses. Firefighters at the scene battled intense flames and worked to extinguish the wreckage, which remained fuel-laden. Debris, including charred bodies and scattered fuselage parts, was strewn across the area. The aircraft’s tail cone, with damaged stabilizer fins, was found lodged atop a building. Indian army personnel joined civil authorities in clearing debris and assisting the injured.

Broader Implications and Ongoing Response

The tragedy has reignited concerns over aviation safety, particularly regarding the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has faced scrutiny following previous fatal incidents. Air India and its parent company, the Tata Group, have pledged full support to the families of the victims and are coordinating closely with emergency response teams. Industry experts anticipate that the crash will prompt comprehensive reviews of safety protocols and may influence insurance claims and competitive dynamics within the aviation sector.

As investigations proceed, authorities remain focused on identifying the victims, providing support to survivors and their families, and determining the cause of one of the most devastating air disasters India has experienced in decades.