Plan Crash
1. What happened in Ahmedabad?
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI 171—a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner—departed Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport en route to London Gatwick. Just 30 seconds after takeoff, the aircraft lost altitude at around 625 feet, struck a medical college hostel in Meghani Nagar, and exploded in a massive fireball.
2. Tragic toll and ground casualties
The disaster claimed the lives of at least 241 people onboard (230 passengers + 11 crew) and 28+ on the ground, making it India’s deadliest single-aircraft crash in decades. Among the victims were.
- 169 Indians and 53 British nationals
- Several Portuguese and a Canadian traveler
- Gujarat’s former Chief Minister, Vijay Rupani
3. Miraculous sole survivor
Astonishingly, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 39‑year‑old British-Indian, survived with minor injuries. Seated in exit-row 11A, he jumped through the emergency door immediately after the crash. He recalled from his hospital bed, “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise … there were dead bodies around me.”
4. Devastation at ground level
The plane carried approximately 125,000 litres of fuel, resulting in an intense inferno that made rescue nearly impossible. Recovery teams retrieved all onboard victims and were undertaking around 1,000 DNA tests to identify the remains.
5. Response from authorities
Major officials responded swiftly:
- PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah visited the crash site and hospitals to oversee relief .
- The NDRF deployed seven teams; DNA investigations and victim identifications began immediately
- DGCA and the AAIB launched full-scale investigations, with technical support from FAA, NTSB, AAIB (UK), Boeing, and GE Aerospace .
6. Global grief and solidarity
Condolences poured in worldwide:
- Leaders like UN Secretary-General, UK PM, Australian PM, French President, and Singapore’s PM issued heartfelt messages .
- Mukesh Ambani and Tata Group pledged financial aid and support for victims’ families .
7. Key unanswered questions
Officials are probing several critical aspects:
- Why did the aircraft have landing gear down and flaps up at takeoff?
- Was there an engine failure or multiple bird strikes?
- Did pilot error, mechanical fault, or structural failure contribute?
So far, only one black box has been recovered; investigators await more data
8. A Quiet Morning Turned Deadly: Chaos in Meghani Nagar
Residents of Meghani Nagar, a typically calm neighborhood near the airport, were jolted awake by a thunderous explosion. Within moments, flames engulfed parts of the AMC Medical College hostel, and debris rained down. Eyewitnesses described seeing the plane nosedive in flames, followed by a deafening blast that shook buildings several blocks away.
9. Eyewitness Horror: ‘The Sky Lit Up in Flames
Local shopkeeper Kiritbhai Patel, who witnessed the crash, recalled: “It was like watching a missile fall. We saw the plane tilt unnaturally. Within seconds, it disappeared behind the hostel building and the sky lit up in flames.” Dozens of locals ran towards the site to help, but the intense heat and fire made it impossible to rescue anyone.
10. Who Was on Board? Lives Lost Across Continents
Among the deceased were:
- Medical students, returning from vacation.
- Business leaders, including at least three senior corporate executives en route to London for a summit.
- A family of five from Gujarat, on their first international vacation.
The sheer diversity of passengers—aged between 18 and 79—makes this loss not just national, but global in impact.
11. How Could This Happen? Technical Concerns Under Scrutiny
Experts are raising alarms about multiple flight anomalies:
- The Boeing 787’s landing gear was still down during takeoff.
- The flaps and slats—critical for lift—were reportedly not extended fully.
- Early data suggests rapid loss of engine power.
Investigators are now examining flight data recorders, maintenance logs, and air traffic control communications for signs of mechanical or human error.
12. Fireball of Jet Fuel: Why Rescue Was Nearly Impossible
The aircraft reportedly carried over 125,000 liters of jet fuel, which ignited instantly upon impact. Firefighters described the blaze as one of the most intense aviation infernos in Indian history. Despite the Ahmedabad Fire Department reaching within minutes, the temperature inside the fuselage exceeded 1000°C, making survival virtually impossible.
13. Sole Survivor: A Miracle Amidst Mass Death
The survival of Vishwash Kumar Ramesh is being hailed as miraculous. Officials believe his seat near the emergency exit, quick reflexes, and position during the impact saved his life. He managed to escape before the fire spread, stumbling out and collapsing near a garbage bin, where residents later found him dazed and crying.
14. National Mourning: India’s Flags at Half-Mast
In honor of the victims, the Government of India declared June 13 as a National Day of Mourning. All central government offices observed silence for two minutes, and flags flew at half-mast across public buildings. Condolence messages flooded in from:
- President of India
- UN Secretary-General
- Leaders of UK, Canada, Portugal, UAE, and Japan
15. Investigators Face Hurdles in Recovery
With parts of the aircraft reduced to molten wreckage, DNA identification is proving extremely challenging. Over 1,000 DNA samples are being collected, and forensic experts from the US and UK are now assisting. The Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is collaborating with Boeing to reconstruct the crash sequence using simulators.
16. Emotional Scenes at Ahmedabad Airport
At Terminal 2, family members broke down in tears, clutching photos, boarding passes, and IDs of loved ones. Emergency response teams set up counseling booths and DNA sample stations. Volunteers from local NGOs and ISKCON distributed food and emotional support.
17. Politicians Unite in Grief
From Prime Minister Modi to Congress Leader Mallikarjun Kharge, political leaders set aside their differences to jointly express sorrow. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel announced a ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family. Meanwhile, opposition parties urged the government to audit Boeing aircraft fleets used in India.
18. Global Attention on Boeing Again : Plan Crash
This tragedy has once again put Boeing under the scanner, especially after multiple 737 MAX incidents in recent years. While this crash involved a 787 Dreamliner, safety experts are questioning whether systemic manufacturing issues or training gaps contributed.
19. Social Media Erupts with Tributes and Anger
Twitter and Instagram flooded with hashtags like:
#AhmedabadCrash#AI171Tragedy#JusticeForPassengers
Citizens, celebrities, and survivors’ relatives posted tributes, while many demanded transparency in investigations. Some questioned how a technically advanced jet could fail within seconds of takeoff.
