Air India Flight 171 was a scheduled international passenger flight from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom. On 12 June 2025, it crashed shortly after takeoff into the Meghani Nagar neighbourhood of Ahmedabad, just outside the airport perimeter, killing all 242 people on board and some locals on the ground, including five medical students.

The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. This was the first fatal crash and hull loss involving a Boeing 787 since its introduction in 2011, and Air India's first major hull loss since the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985.

Background

Aircraft

The aircraft involved was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered as VT-ANB, equipped with two General Electric GEnx engines. It first flew on 14 December 2013 and was delivered to Air India on 28 January 2014

The aircraft was carrying a total of 242 people, including 230 passengers, two pilots and ten cabin crew, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India. Among the passengers were 169 Indian, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian nationals.

 Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was on the flight. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar.

Accident

Duration: 15 seconds.0:15

Security camera footage of the aftermath

Flight 171 took off from runway 23 of Ahmedabad Airport at 13:38 local time en route to London Gatwick. The ADS-B transponder of the aircraft reported an altitude of 625 feet (191 m) before reception was lost. Shortly before contact was lost, the flight crew issued a mayday call to air traffic control. The crash took place in the early afternoon during takeoff procedures. Eyewitnesses from the Meghani Nagar area reported hearing multiple explosions, followed by thick plumes of smoke visible from nearby locations, including Dharpur. A senior Ahmedabad police officer told ANI the plane crashed into a hostel building in B.J. Medical College. The aircraft's partially intact tail was sticking out from a multi-storey building after the accident.

As the aircraft descended, its undercarriage had not been retracted, and the flaps appeared to have been retracted.

According to METAR reports, the weather was stable and the visibility was clear.

Ahmedabad's city police commissioner, G.S. Malik, told the Associated Press there appeared to be no survivors of the crash, and that residents of the area around the crash site have also likely died.

Emergency response

Emergency services, including at least seven fire engines and multiple ambulances, were dispatched immediately. The Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services Department confirmed the deployment of units from various city divisions. All roads leading to the crash site and surrounding areas were closed to facilitate rescue operations.

Shortly after the crash, all flight operations at Ahmedabad Airport were temporarily suspended.

According to police, more than 100 bodies were recovered and brought to a local hospital.

Investigation

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India.

The DGCA and Air India have both launched investigations into the crash. A technical team has been dispatched to assess the cause of the incident. At the time of the crash, the plane was fuelled for the long-haul flight to London, which contributed to the intensity of the fire.

Responses

Governments

The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, stating—"The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected." Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that he was "deeply saddened by this tragic incident". Indian Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly spoke with the Chief Minister of Gujarat following the incident. 

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that officials had been instructed to carry out "immediate rescue and relief operations" and to make arrangements on a "war footing".

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the crash "devastating" and gave his condolences to the passengers and their families during this "deeply distressing time."

 House of Commons Leader Lucy Powell offered condolences and said the government would provide "all the support that it can" to those affected in both India and the UK.

 The UK High Commission issued a statement that read—"We are aware that a flight from Ahmedabad to London has crashed near Ahmedabad airport. We are working with local authorities to urgently establish the facts and provide support. Our thoughts are with all those affected."

 The UK Foreign Office has arranged crisis teams in India and the UK.

Companies

In a statement on X, Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran confirmed that Flight 171 was involved in a "tragic accident" and expressed "deepest condolences" to those affected. He said the airline's focus is on supporting victims and their families, assisting emergency teams, and providing verified updates. An emergency centre and support teams have been activated for those seeking information. The owner of Air India, Tata Group, issued a statement about its response to the crash.

Other

Boeing stock futures prices sank over 7% following the crash. The company said it was aware of the initial reports and was assessing information