Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Air India Plane Crashed near Meghani Area

In one of the most devastating air disasters in India’s aviation history, Air India Flight AI171 — a Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed just minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The flight was bound for London Gatwick and carried 242 people on board. Of these, 265 deaths have been confirmed — including passengers, crew, and people on the ground — while one person survived, seated in 11A, and is receiving treatment at a local hospital. The disaster unfolded just 2–3 minutes after takeoff, shocking the nation and triggering an emergency of national proportions.

Air India Plane Crashed near Airport in Ahmedabad

The Air India Flight AI 171 Boeing 787 Dreamliner tragic crash close to the Meghani area, impacting a residential complex near BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad. With dozens of passengers and crew, the situation is in flux. Rescue operations and investigations have been initiated by the authorities, and casualty reports are still awaited. This is a watershed moment for aviation safety discussions in India.

The Ahmedabad Plane Crash took place on Thursday, June 12, 2025, only a few minutes after the plane departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with an estimated 242 passengers and crew members, crashed within minutes of taking off, with heavy black smoke emanating from the wreckage.

Here is a detailed summary of the Air India Flight AI 171 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and incident-related information:

Emergency response teams such as police and fire brigades have arrived on the scene. All routes to the accident site have been blocked off to allow rescue and relief operations. Injuries are reported, and some of the injured passengers are being transferred to the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital for treatment. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sent a Delhi team to Ahmedabad to probe the incident. Air India issued a statement confirming an “incident” with flight AI171 and said they were determining the details.

Initial Investigation Points to Critical Takeoff Failure

While the official cause is yet to be confirmed, early analysis by aviation experts and officials point to the following possible scenarios:

1. Landing Gear Was Not Retracted

• Videos show the aircraft flying at low altitude with its landing gear still deployed — which is highly unusual.

• Normally, landing gear is retracted within seconds of takeoff to reduce drag and ensure proper climb.

• This indicates either a critical systems failure or cockpit distraction.

2. Dual Engine Failure or Flame-Out

• Experts are also considering a simultaneous failure of both engines, possibly due to:

  • Bird ingestion

  • Fuel contamination

  • Mechanical failure

• The aircraft seemed to stall mid-air, suggesting a loss of thrust.

3. Heavy Fuel Load May Have Worsened the Explosion

• Being a long-haul international flight, the Dreamliner was fully fueled, intensifying the post-crash fire and complicating rescue efforts.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), alongside Boeing officials and DGCA experts, has launched a full-scale probe. The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) — the black boxes — have been recovered and sent for analysis.

Ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani Dies in Air India Plane Crash

Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was laid to rest with full state honours following his tragic death in the Air India AI171 crash on June 12, 2025. The funeral took place in Rajkot, his political and emotional home, amidst a sea of mourners including top BJP leaders, party workers, and citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah paid heartfelt tributes, recalling Rupani’s humble leadership and unwavering commitment to Gujarat’s development. Draped in the tricolour, his final journey echoed with chants of “Vijay Rupani Amar Rahein,” marking the end of an era in Gujarat’s political landscape.

Details about the Ahmedabad Plane Crash

AIR India Official Statement on Ahmedabad Plane Crash

• The Air India Aircraft, carrying 242 people (230 passengers, 10 crew members and 2 pilots), went down in a residential area known as Meghani Nagar, just outside the airport perimeter. The passenger manifest included
  • 169 Indian Nationals,
  • 53 British Nationals,
  • 7 Portuguese Nationals, and
  • 1 Canadian National.
• The pilots have been identified as
  • Captain Sumeet Sabharwal (Line Training Captain with 8,200 flight hours) and
  • First Officer Clive Kundar (1,100 flying hours).

Emergency Response & Rescue Operations

• Local Ahmedabad fire and rescue teams arrived at the crash site quickly, cordoning off access routes to transport survivors and the injured to hospitals in haste.
• Casualties as of now have not been officially reported, and rescue operations continue.

Investigation & Ongoing Inquiry

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has opened a formal probe.
• Air India assured to keep the public posted through official media (website and X handle)
• Initial findings have not yet been published; possible contributing factors being investigated include technical malfunction, runway overrun, and takeoff aircraft control.

Wider Context & Historic Comparisons

• The accident finds unsettling similarities with Indian Airlines Flight 113 (1988), another crash, near Ahmedabad, blamed on a pilot mistake and visibility
• As one of India’s worst recent aviation tragedies, this raises further questions about the safety of commercial flight, especially in metropolitan airspace.

What Happens Next

• Officials will study black box information, runway data, and flight records.
• DGCA, Air India, and police officials are expected to issue updates.
• Concerns among the public are for passenger safety, effects on residents of Meghani, and emergency preparedness in populous areas.

Why This Matters

• Human impact: Potentially hundreds of lives touched—passengers, crew, and civilians.
• Safety spotlight: Shines a light on important questions regarding plane procedures at takeoff time and preparedness for emergencies over residential areas.

List of Major Plane Crashes in India

India has seen several high-casualty crashes over the decades—some pilot error, some technical failure or CFIT, and some involving bad weather or runway problems. The most fatal has been the 1996 Charkhi Dadri collision. In response, aviation regulators like the DGCA have tightened safety measures, including requiring collision avoidance systems.

These tragedies have influenced India’s aviation safety environment and will continue to spur regulatory reforms and training upgrades. Here is a List of Major Plane Crashes in India, focusing on those with high fatalities or significant impact:

This list is not comprehensive but mentions some of the major and most influential aircraft accidents in Indian history. Every accident has helped shape aviation safety regulations and procedures within the nation.

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