On the morning of June 12, 2025, India woke up to one of its deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory. Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad killing 241 of the 242 people on board. Anatomy of Tragedy: How Flight AI 171 Crashed Minutes After Takeoff
This wasn’t just another aviation accident—it was a perfect storm of tragedy, occurring at a devastating time and place. The crash obliterated the aircraft, severely damaged parts of BJ Medical College, and left an entire nation grieving.
This blog takes you through the events of that morning—what we know, what experts suspect, and how this incident could change Indian aviation forever.
The Flight That Never Reached Altitude
Flight AI 171 was a long-haul route from Ahmedabad to London Heathrow, with a scheduled stopover in Mumbai. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner named “Agra”, had been in service for over nine years and had passed its latest technical checks just a month prior.
The aircraft departed at approximately 10:48 a.m., taking off from Runway 23. Weather conditions were stable, with clear skies and mild wind—no known external threats or disturbances.
🕒 Timeline of the Crash
⏱️ T+0: Take-off
The Dreamliner lifted off as planned and began a smooth ascent to its cruising altitude.
⏱️ T+2 minutes: “Pan-Pan” Call
Two minutes into the flight, the pilot radioed air traffic control with a “Pan-Pan” call—a less severe distress signal than “Mayday” but still urgent. The call indicated multiple system malfunctions, including possible engine failure and loss of avionics.
⏱️ T+3 minutes: Sudden Altitude Drop
The aircraft experienced a rapid descent, turning to make an emergency return to the airport. According to radar data, the altitude dropped from 3,000 feet to below 800 feet in less than 40 seconds.
⏱️ T+4 minutes: Crash
At 10:52 a.m., the plane crashed into the western side of the BJ Medical College campus, which was bustling with students, faculty, and hospital staff at the time.
The Impact Zone
The aircraft hit the cardiology department of the hospital, destroying large parts of the building. Fires broke out instantly, fueled by the jet’s fuel tanks. Thick black smoke engulfed the area, making rescue operations extremely difficult.
More than 35 people on the ground, including doctors, nurses, and at least five patients, lost their lives in addition to the passengers on board.
Eyewitness Report
“I heard a loud thud, and everything shook,” said a medical student who had just left the building moments earlier. “Then came the explosion.”
The Lone Survivor
In what seems almost miraculous, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 29-year-old software engineer seated in 11A, was pulled from the wreckage alive, albeit with serious injuries.
He reportedly told doctors that “everything went black” after the loud sound during ascent, and the next thing he remembers is being in a hospital bed.
Investigators are closely working with him to gather any clues about what happened in those final moments aboard Flight AI 171.
Investigations Begin
DGCA & AAIB Probes
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), launched an immediate inquiry. Black boxes (CVR and FDR) were recovered within hours and sent to Delhi for decoding.
Initial data points suggest a catastrophic systems failure, possibly related to avionics or electrical malfunction.
Questions Around Boeing 787
This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner worldwide. The aircraft model, introduced for fuel efficiency and long-haul comfort, had previously encountered technical glitches but had never been involved in a deadly accident until now.
This has sparked global scrutiny toward Boeing, which is already under investigation in the U.S. over unrelated 737 MAX issues.
Human Toll: The Faces Behind the Numbers
Passengers
The manifest included 215 adult passengers, 10 children, and 17 crew members. Most passengers were Indian citizens traveling for work, family visits, or summer vacations.
Ground Casualties
Among the 35 killed on the ground were:
- Dr. Sanjana Patel, a 34-year-old cardiologist pregnant with twins.
- Four final-year MBBS students preparing for their exams.
- Nurses and housekeeping staff on a lunch break.
Political & Social Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was born in Gujarat, expressed deep sorrow, stating, “This is not just a tragedy for Gujarat but for the entire nation.” A state of mourning was declared for two days in Gujarat.
Air India Announced ₹ 1 Crore and the central government announced ₹ 25 lakh compensation for families of victims, though public sentiment was that no financial aid could fill the emotional void.
Could This Have Been Prevented?
Aviation experts believe multiple scenarios could have led to the tragedy:
Possible Causes:
- Bird Strike on takeoff (yet unconfirmed).
- Engine flameout—one or both engines failing due to fuel imbalance or mechanical issues.
- Electrical system failure—causing navigational blackout.
Investigators are still piecing together the last minutes from the black box data and ATC recordings.
Aftermath: Shockwaves Across the Aviation Industry
- Global grounding of Dreamliners? Some nations have temporarily grounded the model pending safety checks.
- Passenger hesitation: Bookings on Air India’s Dreamliner fleet dropped by 37% in 24 hours.
- Insurance fallout: Claims are expected to run into hundreds of crores, with international reinsurance involvement.
What Happens Next?
Aviation Safety Reform
Experts suggest the crash will likely spur the following reforms:
- Mandatory real-time aircraft system monitoring.
- More frequent maintenance cycles for aging long-haul aircraft.
- Better emergency response protocols in cities with congested urban zones around airports.
Memorial Plans
A memorial is being planned at the crash site within the BJ Medical campus to honor the lives lost in the incident.
Final Thoughts
Flight AI 171 was meant to be a routine flight—a corridor between India and the UK, carrying hopes, dreams, and reunions. In mere minutes, it became a national tragedy and a painful reminder of how vulnerable even the safest technologies can be.
As investigations continue and families begin to heal, one thing remains certain: the story of AI 171 will remain etched in the nation’s memory as one of the darkest days in Indian aviation history. Anatomy of Tragedy: How Flight AI 171 Crashed Minutes After Takeoff.
Oh 😱 god RIP