Air Tragedy in India: Air India Plane Crashes Shortly After Takeoff, 241 Dead

An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flight number AI 171, suffered a fatal crash just moments after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick.

The tragic incident occurred approximately 30 seconds to one minute after takeoff, precisely at 1:38 PM local time, when the aircraft abruptly lost altitude and slammed into a student dormitory building in the Meghani Nagar area. The crash ignited a massive blaze and thick plumes of smoke, engulfing a densely populated urban zone.

Fatalities and a Sole Survivor

The aircraft was carrying 242 individuals—comprising 230 passengers and 12 crew members. A total of 241 people were confirmed dead, including nearly all passengers and crew, as well as several victims on the ground. Preliminary reports state that at least 28 people on the ground were killed, while 60 others were injured, most of them residents of B.J. Medical College Dormitory, which was directly impacted by the crash and explosion.

Amid the devastation, one extraordinary survival story emerged: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A near the emergency exit, was the sole surviving passenger. He is currently receiving intensive medical care at a local hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

Eyewitness Accounts and Investigation Response

Eyewitnesses described the terrifying scene as the aircraft crashed—a loud explosion was heard from a distance, followed by towering flames and thick black smoke that enveloped the city skyline. Nearby residents were seen fleeing in panic from the area.

The Government of India has launched an official investigation through the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The probe is being supported by international aviation safety agencies, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and the United Kingdom’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, and GE Aerospace, the engine supplier, have both pledged full cooperation with the investigation.

One of India's Worst Aviation Disasters

This incident marks one of the worst air disasters in modern Indian aviation history, sparking global concern over the safety of commercial air travel. Authorities are now examining the possible causes of the crash, including technical failure and human error.