Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick from Ahmedabad, India, tragically crashed shortly after take-off on June 12, 2025. The aircraft, carrying 242 people including 230 passengers and 12 crew members, departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM local time. Among those on board were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.

The flight's signal was lost just one minute after it took off at 10:08 AM local time (as per initial reports, later consistent with 1:38 PM local time), having reached an altitude of 625 feet. CCTV footage showed the Dreamliner lifting off smoothly but failing to climb as expected, instead skimming low before descending. It crashed into a densely populated residential neighborhood, specifically the residential quarters of a medical college hostel in Meghaninagar, just beyond the airport perimeter. The impact was devastating, causing flames, thick black smoke, and significant structural damage to the buildings.

Initial reports from the Ahmedabad city police commissioner suggested no survivors, but this was later contradicted by the discovery of at least one survivor. British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, initially listed as 38 but reported as 40, miraculously survived the crash. He recounted hearing a "loud noise" about 30 seconds after take-off, followed by impact injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet. Ramesh described a horrific scene of "bodies all around me" upon waking, before running from the wreckage. He was later seen limping away from the crash site and was taken to a hospital. Another family member he was travelling with remains unaccounted for.

Rescue teams, including three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 90 personnel, were immediately mobilized to the crash site. While initial police reports indicated at least 204 bodies had been recovered, a later claim from the city police chief suggested more than 290 people had been killed, potentially including those on the ground. It was confirmed that five people in the medical college hostel were killed instantly due to the crash.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a probe into the crash, with officials en route to the site. India's Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu expressed shock and is personally monitoring the situation, directing all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift action. Air Traffic Control (ATC) confirmed receiving a "Mayday" call from the aircraft moments after departure before communication ceased. The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with over 8,200 flight hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, with 1,100 hours.

London Gatwick Airport confirmed the flight was due to land at 6:25 PM UK time and quickly established a reception center for relatives. The UK Foreign Office is working with Indian authorities to provide support to those involved. Air India, acquired by Tata Group in 2022, set up dedicated hotlines for families and pledged full cooperation with investigators. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson conveyed "deep sorrow" and highlighted the airline's focus on supporting passengers, crew, and their families.

Tata Sons, Air India's owner, announced substantial support measures, including ₹1 crore (approximately £86,000) in compensation to the family of each person who died, coverage of medical expenses for the injured, and assistance in rebuilding the damaged medical hostel. Boeing shares experienced a nearly 8% fall in premarket trading following the news. This incident marks the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in its history, a model that had completed five million journeys over 14 years without a fatal accident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and King Charles III all expressed their condolences and shock over the tragic event.