On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The crash resulted in the deaths of 241 individuals—230 passengers and 12 crew members—making it the deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade.
Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, who was aboard the flight.
The sole survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, was seated in 11A, next to an emergency exit.
He reportedly survived the crash after being ejected from the aircraft when it split apart mid-air. Ramesh sustained multiple injuries but is currently hospitalized and is expected to survive.
The crash occurred approximately 30 seconds after takeoff, when the aircraft reached an altitude of about 625 feet. The flight crew issued a mayday call, reporting engine thrust issues before losing communication.
The plane then descended rapidly and crashed into a residential area, striking BJ Medical College. At least 50 medical students in a hostel were hospitalized, and 41 people were injured.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India, with assistance from the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch and Boeing, has launched a formal investigation into the crash.
This tragedy marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner and has raised concerns about the aircraft’s safety record, leading to a drop in Boeing’s stock price.
