Air India Flight 171: First Fatal Dreamliner Crash Claims 241 Lives in Ahmedabad
Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashes minutes after takeoff, marking the first fatal accident involving the Dreamliner since commercial service began in 2011
Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a residential area of Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and at least 33 on the ground. The incident marks the first fatal accident involving Boeing’s flagship wide-body aircraft since it entered commercial service in 2011, sending shockwaves through the aviation industry.
The Incident Details
The aircraft, registered VT-ANB, departed Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time with 230 passengers and 12 crew members aboard. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 shows the signal was lost less than a minute after takeoff, with the aircraft reaching a maximum altitude of just 625 feet above the airport’s 200-foot elevation.
The Boeing 787-8 crashed into the dining hall of BJ Medical College’s hostel in the Meghani Nagar residential area, erupting in a massive fireball. CCTV footage captured the aircraft appearing to struggle for altitude before impact, with witnesses noting that the landing gear appeared to remain extended after takeoff—an highly unusual configuration.
Sole Survivor’s Account
Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British citizen of Indian origin seated in 11A next to an emergency exit, emerged as the sole survivor. From his hospital bed, Ramesh described the harrowing experience: “Everything happened in front of my eyes. I don’t believe how I survived. For some time I thought I was also going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive and I tried to unbuckle myself from the seat and escape.”
Emergency responders found Ramesh bloodied but conscious, clutching his mobile phone after pushing aside the emergency exit door. His survival, attributed to his proximity to the emergency exit, provides investigators with a crucial eyewitness account of the aircraft’s final moments.
Aircraft and Operational History
The crashed aircraft was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner assembled at Boeing’s Everett Factory, with fuselage sections manufactured at the Charleston facility. Delivered to Air India on January 28, 2014, the aircraft was powered by two General Electric GEnx-1B67 engines and had been operating without major incident since delivery.
Air India had maintained regular service to London Gatwick since 2013, operating twelve weekly departures including five from Ahmedabad. The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kundar, both experienced pilots familiar with the route.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Emergency services deployed massive resources to the crash site, including 337 firefighters, 60 fire vehicles, and 20 water bowsers. The Central Workshop of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation utilized 159 vehicles, including earthmovers and excavators, to clear debris while 130 engineers and health department personnel coordinated relief operations.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has launched a comprehensive investigation with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Britain’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch. The flight data recorder was successfully recovered from a rooftop at the crash site on Friday, marking a crucial breakthrough for investigators.
Industry Impact and Safety Concerns
The crash represents a significant milestone for Boeing, as it marks the first fatal accident involving the 787 Dreamliner in its 15-year commercial service history. The incident has prompted India’s aviation regulator to order comprehensive safety inspections of all Boeing 787s operated by Indian carriers “as a preventative measure.”
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg cancelled his planned attendance at the Paris Air Show to focus on the crisis response, sending a team of experts to Ahmedabad to assist investigators. Boeing’s stock futures dropped nearly 9% following news of the crash, reflecting market concerns about potential implications for the Dreamliner program.
Technical Investigation Focus
Preliminary reports indicate investigators are focusing on three critical areas: engine performance, flap configuration, and landing gear operation. The unusual observation that the landing gear remained extended after takeoff has drawn particular attention from aviation safety experts, as this configuration would create significant drag and impair climb performance.
Former NTSB investigator Jeff Guzzetti noted that given the aircraft’s 11-year operational history, manufacturing defects appear unlikely. “I don’t think this is a manufacturing or production issue,” Guzzetti stated, suggesting investigators will focus on operational factors and potential mechanical failures.
Memorial and Ongoing Impact
Among the victims was Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2016 to 2021, highlighting the tragedy’s impact on Indian society. Air India has retired flight numbers AI171 and AI172, redesignating the routes as AI159 and AI160 in respect for the victims.
The investigation’s findings will likely have far-reaching implications for Boeing’s Dreamliner program, airline operational procedures, and airport safety protocols worldwide. As the aviation industry awaits answers, the Air India Flight 171 tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of aviation’s inherent risks despite remarkable safety advances.
