On Thursday, June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating as Flight AI171 bound for London Gatwick Airport, tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The incident, which occurred around 1:39 PM local time, sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and prompted a swift and extensive emergency response. The aircraft was carrying 242 people, including 230 passengers (169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian) and 12 crew members (two pilots and ten cabin crew).

Tracking data from flight-tracking websites like Flightradar24 indicated that the aircraft's last recorded signal was received at a mere altitude of 625 feet (190m), just seconds after departure. Air traffic control reported that the plane issued a "Mayday" emergency call immediately after taking off from runway 23, but no further communication was received. Eyewitness accounts and video footage showed the plane attempting to pitch up before rapidly losing lift and slamming into the ground in a ball of fire, creating thick plumes of black smoke visible from afar.

The crash site was identified as a densely populated residential area near the airport, specifically impacting buildings housing doctors and medical students, as well as a canteen. The impact caused significant damage, with debris on fire and buildings ablaze. Initial reports from city police commissioner G.S. Malik indicated that there appeared to be no survivors among those on board, and due to the crash occurring in a residential area, additional casualties among local residents were expected. Rescue teams, including firefighters and military personnel, immediately mobilized, recovering a reported 204 bodies from the wreckage.

India's Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, expressed profound shock and devastation, pledging swift government action and personally monitoring the situation. He directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take coordinated action, ensuring medical aid and relief support were rushed to the site. The Ahmedabad airport was consequently shut down, with all flights suspended until further notice. Air India confirmed the incident, stating they were ascertaining details and would release further updates.

Investigations into the cause of the crash are being conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India officials. US planemaker Boeing has also confirmed its awareness of the incident and expressed readiness to support Air India. This tragic event marks the first ever crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2009. International leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, conveyed their condolences and concern over the devastating loss of life. The incident has also drawn comparisons to past fatal air crashes in India, including those in 1996, 2010, and 1985, raising renewed concerns about air travel safety despite India's recent exponential growth in the aviation sector, which is projected to become the world's third-largest within the decade.