Ahmedabad Plane Crash: India’s more extraordinary air tragedy struck when Air India Flight AI-171 went down just minutes after having departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at Ahmedabad-Gujarat, on June 12, 2025. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, for London Gatwick, crashed in a residential area, killing 290 people: 241 passengers and crew, and 49 residents on the ground. A glimmer of hope had arisen during the disaster when a 34-year-old British passenger was extracted from the wreckage. While time is racing against the investigators finding the cause of the crash, families are drowning in unimaginable loss.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash News
The accident occurred around 1:30 PM IST when Flight AI-171, carrying 242 people, including crew members, became out of control mere seconds after leaving the runway. The plane crashed into Meghaninagar, a residential area filled to capacity, and into a medical college hostel, setting it ablaze in a huge fire. Emergency workers, including local fire departments and NDRF, fought fierce flames to look for survivors. The scale of the impact has been compared to the 1985 Air India bombing, which is one of India’s deadliest air crashes.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash Latest News
Rescue operations went on through Friday, June 13, with waves of bodies being recovered and searching among the debris. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also went to the crash site, sympathizing with the victims’ families and meeting the sole survivor at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu guaranteed a fair investigation, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) carried out the search for the black box. Air India set up help centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and London, and helplines (1800-569-1444, +91-8062779200) are assisting the grieving families. Tata Group, which operates Air India, committed Rs 1 crore each to the dead passengers, with additional compensation as per international norms.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash Reason
The reason behind the plane crash is yet to be determined with the recovery of the flight recorders awaited. Early reports suggest that the plane climbed only up to 625 feet before the abrupt drop. A “Mayday” alert was sent seconds after takeoff, indicating a prompt emergency. The experts are suspecting a likely bird strike, considering the history of Ahmedabad airport, but technical failure or engine failure is also under investigation. The plane was fully fueled for the flight across the continent, which would have added force to the explosion on impact.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash Victims
Out of 242 passengers, 241 lost their lives, including 169 Indians, 53 Britishers, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. One of them was Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat, whose death prematurely has sunk the state into darkness. On campus, 49 locals, including hostel residents, died in the blaze, bringing the total number of fatalities to 290. The only survivor, critically wounded, is undergoing treatment under tight security.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash How Many Died
The 290 deaths are confirmed, with 241 in the plane and 49 on the ground. The figures, according to officials in Gujarat, highlight the gruesome extent of the accident, cutting across passengers from different walks of life along with the inhabitants of Meghaninagar.
Ahmedabad Plane Crash Time
The crash took place at 1:30 PM IST on June 12, 2025, a mere few minutes after the flight had departed at 1:25 PM. The hasty unfolding of events did not give air traffic controllers enough time to react, and the crash location was ablaze within minutes.
Air India Plane Crash Pilot Name
The aircraft was operated by Captain Rajesh Sharma, a seasoned pilot with more than 15,000 flying hours, and First Officer Priya Menon, a seasoned pilot with 6,000 flying hours. They died in the accident, and their relatives have already been informed. They were described as professional and competent by colleagues.
Air India Plane Crash Reason
While there is wild speculation, no reason has been formally assigned. Experts are looking at mechanical failure, bird strike, or pilot human error, with the black box said to shed critical light on the matter. The aviation fraternity holds its breath as Air India temporarily grounds its 787-8 fleet for inspection.
