An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner carrying 242 people, including 12 crew members, tragically crashed Thursday morning shortly after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. The flight, AI171, was bound for London-Gatwick Airport but plummeted to the ground five minutes post-departure, erupting into flames in Meghani Nagar's residential area.
The crash not only took the lives of passengers but also resulted in fatalities on the ground as the aircraft collided with a university dormitory affiliated with BJ Medical Hospital. Local authorities have confirmed the recovery of over 100 bodies and reported numerous injuries.
The Sole Survivor: A Story of Unbelievable Luck
In the midst of the aviation disaster in Ahmedabad, police have confirmed a single survivor among the 242 individuals on board Air India's flight AI-171. The survivor, found in seat 11A of the economy class, was in a part of the plane that, although heavily damaged, did not completely disintegrate during the crash.
Identified as Viswashkumar Ramesh, a British national, the survivor was immediately taken to a hospital for medical care. While his health status remains undisclosed, authorities have described his rescue as a miraculous event given the aircraft's condition.
Visuals of Despair: The Crash's Impact
Footage captured by locals and shared on social media depicts the aircraft's gradual descent followed by a massive explosion. Verified by the Associated Press, a video shows the plane vanishing behind homes before transforming into a "huge fireball." The crash site was described as chaotic, with charred bodies on the ground and fuselage parts scattered across the area. The aircraft's tail section was found lodged atop a building.
Victims and Casualties
Air India reported that the flight carried 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian citizen. Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, the former Chief Minister of Gujarat. The crash also resulted in the deaths of at least five medical students and over 50 injuries on the ground, many critically injured, as reported by the Federation of Medical Associations of India. Some individuals are feared to be trapped under debris.
Aircraft Background and Safety Record
The ill-fated aircraft was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a model renowned for its safety in modern commercial aviation. This incident marks the first fatal crash of this line since its debut in 2011. Boeing has acknowledged the initial reports and is actively gathering more information. The manufacturer has been struggling with reputational challenges following the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. In response to this calamity, Boeing's shares plummeted over 8% on the U.S. stock market.
Government and Corporate Response
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on social media, describing the Ahmedabad tragedy as "heartbreaking and beyond words." The Ministry of Civil Aviation has placed all agencies on high alert, halting operations at the airport. Air India promptly set up an emergency center and provided a hotline for families.
Campbell Wilson, Air India's CEO, stated, "We are fully engaged with authorities in all emergency response efforts." Tata Group, which acquired Air India in 2022, announced compensation of ₹1 crore (approximately US$116,868) per victim and committed to covering medical expenses and rebuilding the destroyed dormitory.
Global Repercussions
The crash has resonated internationally. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the event "devastating" and assured that his government would offer "all possible support." Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also expressed devastation, confirming a Canadian citizen among the fatalities. Portugal is monitoring the situation involving seven Portuguese nationals on board, some holding dual citizenship.
Ongoing International Investigation
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation is leading the investigation with international collaboration. The aircraft made a distress call to air traffic control shortly after takeoff but lost contact soon after. The U.S. NTSB and the U.K.'s AAIB have dispatched multidisciplinary teams to India, complying with ICAO's Annex 13 on international cooperation in air accidents. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
Historical Context and Industry Impact
This disaster evokes memories of previous airline tragedies in India. In 2020, an Air India Express Boeing 737 overran a runway in Kozhikode, resulting in 21 deaths. The deadliest air disaster on Indian soil occurred in 1996, with 349 fatalities from a mid-air collision.
The tragedy unfolds just days before the Paris Air Show, a significant event for manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Boeing's reputational damage, compounded by over US$39 billion in losses since 2019, is deepened by this new tragedy.
Key Questions on the Air India Tragedy
What caused the Air India plane to crash in Ahmedabad?
The exact cause of the crash is under investigation. The plane made a distress call shortly after takeoff but lost contact soon after.
Were there any survivors from the Air India crash?
Yes, there was one survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh, who was found alive in economy class seat 11A.
How has Air India responded to the crash?
Air India has established an emergency center, provided a hotline for families, and is working closely with authorities on emergency response efforts.
What is the impact on Boeing following this crash?
Boeing's shares dropped over 8% following the crash, adding to its ongoing reputational challenges after the 737 Max incidents.