A devastating air disaster occurred on Thursday, June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed minutes after takeoff. The flight departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 6:12 AM IST and suffered catastrophic failure barely 30 seconds into its journey, plunging into a nearby medical hostel in Ahmedabad's Bapunagar district. The incident resulted in the tragic loss of nearly all 242 people on board, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, with confirmed ground fatalities bringing the total death toll to over 265, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters of the decade.

Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a senior pilot with over 8,200 flying hours, and co-pilot Clive Kunder, who had 1,100 flying hours, were at the controls. Captain Sabharwal had contacted his family just an hour before takeoff, promising to call again from London. The last call from the cockpit was a distress signal to air traffic control before the crash. The flight was filled with diverse stories, from a newly engaged couple returning to the UK, to a family relocating to London, and spiritual healers bidding farewell to India. Tragically, medical students and staff on the ground were also among the victims as the plane impacted the B J Medical College and Civil Hospital residential quarters.

Miraculously, there was one survivor: 40-year-old Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, who was seated in seat 11A, an emergency exit row. Ramesh recalled a violent jolt, a loud noise, and hearing the pilot shout “Mayday” before the aircraft tore apart. He managed to leap from the disintegrating plane, finding himself outside, covered in blood. Despite suffering injuries to his chest, face, and feet, he was found conscious and coherent. Doctors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital confirmed his condition was not critical, although he remained under strict observation. His cousin later confirmed Ramesh had called his family to inform them he was fine, expressing grief over his brother, who was on the same flight but did not survive.

This crash marks the first-ever fatal incident involving the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a model considered technologically advanced and with a strong safety record. Indian authorities, alongside aviation safety investigators from the UK and US (including Boeing representatives and the FAA), are leading the probe into the cause. Preliminary reports suggest a “critical mechanical failure” shortly after takeoff. A black box from the aircraft has been recovered and sent for analysis, and all Dreamliner flights under Air India have been temporarily grounded pending further checks. Boeing's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, canceled his appearance at the Paris Air Show to focus on the investigation, acknowledging the impact on the company's reputation, which was already fragile from past 737 MAX issues. Despite no immediate indication of manufacturing flaws, the accident has intensified scrutiny on Boeing.

Global leaders and communities have expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the UK and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India extended condolences, with PM Modi pledging full transparency in the investigation. The Federal Government of Nigeria also conveyed its sympathies, confirming no Nigerian citizens were aboard. Temporary memorials have been set up in Ahmedabad, London, Birmingham, and Leicester. The suspension of the popular Ahmedabad-London Gatwick route and the grounding of Dreamliners are expected to significantly impact summer travel plans, with hotlines and counseling services established for affected families.