Air India Flight to London Crashes After Take-Off in Ahmedabad, 242 Onboard

Last Updated Jun - 12 - 2025, 04:54 PM | Source : Fela News

Air India London-bound flight crashes just after take-off from Ahmedabad. The aircraft carried 242 people. DGCA, Air India, and emergency teams are investigatin

In a tragic incident on Thursday afternoon, an Air India flight bound for London crashed moments after taking off from Ahmedabad airport. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI 171, had 232 passengers and 10 crew members on board. The aircraft crashed at 1:38 PM shortly after take-off, resulting in a massive explosion. The flight was headed to London Gatwick and was loaded with fuel for the long-haul journey.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the pilots made a Mayday call just before the crash. The aircraft was captained by Sumeet Sabharwal, with over 8,200 hours of flight experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours. Preliminary assessments suggest the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude and crashed at around 825 feet. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the failure.

Emergency services rushed to the site, with multiple ambulances transporting the injured to nearby hospitals. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated he is personally overseeing the response and has directed all aviation and emergency agencies to act swiftly. Air India released a statement confirming the incident and assured that details are being gathered. "Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, and their families," the minister said.