Air India flight AI 171, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off, carrying 242 passengers and crew members. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area just outside the perimeter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The aircraft departed at 13:38 hrs local time and vanished from radar within five minutes. Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising from the crash site. All flight operations at the airport were temporarily suspended in the wake of the incident.
“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight AI 171 operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” said Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran in an official statement.
According to Air India, the flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. On board were also two pilots and ten cabin crew members, as confirmed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Search and rescue operations are currently underway, and while official casualty figures have yet to be released, the scale of the disaster is expected to be significant.
The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned line training captain with over 8,200 flight hours, and assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flight hours. Earlier that day, the aircraft had completed a domestic leg from Delhi to Ahmedabad.
The DGCA reported that the aircraft crashed shortly after lifting off from Runway 23. A mayday call was received by Air Traffic Control (ATC), but all communication ceased immediately afterward.
“The aircraft, immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell outside the airport boundary. Heavy black smoke was seen at the crash site,” a DGCA spokesperson said.
Authorities have launched a joint investigation involving Air India, Boeing, and the DGCA to determine the cause of the crash. As of this report, the black box has not yet been recovered.
Air India has established an emergency response centre to support affected families. “Our primary focus is supporting all impacted individuals and their families,” Chandrasekaran added. A passenger helpline has also been activated.
In the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed in the House of Commons that British nationals were among those on board. “The FCDO is working urgently with local authorities to assist affected British nationals and has activated crisis teams in both Delhi and London,” he stated.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Yadav confirmed that emergency response units were immediately deployed to the scene. “A green corridor has been established to transport injured passengers to hospitals, with medical care being prioritized,” he noted.
Emergency services, airport staff, and central agencies are coordinating efforts to manage the crash site, aid survivors, and provide comprehensive support to families.
Further updates, including confirmed casualty figures and investigation outcomes, are expected as recovery and assessment operations progress.
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