New Delhi- On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India, en route to London Gatwick Airport. The disaster, which killed 241 of the 242 passengers and crew and at least 24 people on the ground, is under investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) with international support. The aircraft issued a Mayday call and lost signal at 625 feet.

Potential Causes of the Crash

Preliminary investigations suggest multiple possible factors, though no definitive cause has been confirmed. CCTV footage shows the aircraft struggling to climb, with its landing gear down and flaps retracted—an unusual configuration for takeoff. Experts cited in Indian news outlets have outlined the following potential causes:

• Engine Failure: Captain Saurabh Bhatnagar, a former senior pilot, told NDTV, “The take-off was perfect, but just short of retracting the gear, the aircraft started descending, which can only happen if the engine loses power or the aircraft fails to generate lift.” Amit Singh, from Safety Matters Foundation, told Hindustan Times that a compressor failure or sudden power loss could be responsible, noting the aircraft’s abnormal configuration.
• Systemic Failure: Singh further stated, “That should not have been the case at all,” referring to the retracted flaps and extended landing gear, suggesting issues with flaps or elevators. An aviation expert, Sanjay Lazar told NDTV, “The catastrophic failure to achieve lift occurred at a very low altitude of 825 feet,” indicating a possible mechanical or configuration issue.
• Human Error: Captain Shakti Lumba, a retired Air India pilot, told The Times of India, “The landing gear was down, and the flaps appeared retracted, which is not the correct configuration for takeoff.” This suggests a potential pilot error in flap settings, though Captain Anupam Banerjee noted in Hindustan Times that the Boeing 787’s warning systems should have alerted the crew to such errors.
• Environmental Factors: Vipul Saxena told Hindustan Times that strong crosswinds and high temperatures (above 30°C) could have reduced lift, particularly with the aircraft’s 100,000-litre fuel load. Mohan Ranganathan highlighted Ahmedabad airport’s history of bird activity during the monsoon season. Still, Sam Thomas, president of the Airline Pilots Association of India, dismissed dual-engine failure from bird strikes as unlikely, stating, “The probability is one in a billion flying hours.”

The investigation continues, with Air India clarifying that reports of black box recovery remain unconfirmed. The pilots, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, had over 9,000 combined flying hours, and the aircraft had no reported maintenance issues before the flight.

Other Devastating Plane Crashes

The Air India Flight AI171 crash, with at least 265 fatalities, ranks among the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history. Below is a comparison with other significant crashes worldwide, based on casualty figures and causes, as reported by credible Indian news sources:

• Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (2014): 298 fatalities. The Boeing 777 was shot down over Ukraine by a surface-to-air missile, as reported by The Hindu. Unlike AI171, this was a deliberate act of sabotage.
• Japan Airlines Flight 123 (1985): 520 fatalities. A Boeing 747 crashed into a mountain due to improper repairs on the rear pressure bulkhead, causing explosive decompression, as noted by The Times of India. This mechanical failure contrasts with AI171’s potential engine or configuration issues but highlights maintenance risks.
• Air India Flight 182 (1985): 329 fatalities. A bomb explosion destroyed the Boeing 747 over the Atlantic Ocean, as covered by Hindustan Times. This terrorism-related incident differs from AI171’s likely technical causes.
• American Airlines Flight 191 (1979): 271 fatalities. A DC-10 crashed after an engine detached during takeoff due to maintenance errors, as reported by NDTV. This shares similarities with AI171’s possible engine failure or systemic issues during takeoff.
• Tenerife Airport Disaster (1977): 583 fatalities. Two Boeing 747s collided on a runway due to miscommunication and fog, as documented by The Indian Express. Unlike AI171, this involved human error in ground operations.

The AI171 crash is notable as the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, introduced in 2011 with a previously clean safety record. Its low-altitude failure during takeoff aligns with data indicating that most crashes occur during takeoff or landing, as reported by The Indian Express.

The AAIB is analyzing flight data, pilot actions, and maintenance records to determine whether mechanical failure, human error, or environmental factors were primary contributors. The investigation’s findings will have implications for Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, which India is considering grounding. Captain A.K. Sachdev, a retired Air Force officer, told The Print, “The rapid loss of altitude points to a critical failure, likely in propulsion or control systems.” The probe will be crucial for enhancing aviation safety protocols.

Ahmedabad | June 12, 2025 – An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating Flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, plummeted shortly after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, with 242 people on board—including 230 passengers and 12 crew members—lost altitude moments after reaching approximately 625 feet, crashing into a residential doctors’ hostel in Ahmedabad’s Meghani Nagar neighbourhood.

A video capturing the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, has been circulating on social media as well as in print media. The footage shared by several credible news channels, reportedly shows the aircraft… pic.twitter.com/vPybEZtBnb

— Himachal Watcher (@HimachalW) June 12, 2025

Emergency response teams are actively searching the wreckage, with numerous casualties reported and many feared trapped. Several survivors with severe injuries have been rushed to local hospitals. Authorities confirmed the aircraft issued a Mayday call seconds before the crash, indicating a critical emergency.

Ahmedabad plane crash: visuals from the crash site of Air India flight AI171 https://t.co/pPnFC9wR8O

— The Hindu (@the_hindu) June 12, 2025

According to Air India officials, the flight carried passengers from multiple countries, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. Twelve fire brigades, ambulances, and six National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units are assisting at the scene, where thick smoke and flames were visible for miles.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief, stating on X, “It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it.” He added that he is closely coordinating with authorities to support rescue efforts. Air India has established an emergency response center and deployed teams to aid affected families.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an investigation, collaborating with Boeing representatives to determine the crash’s cause. Early speculation by experts suggests a possible bird strike may have impaired the aircraft’s takeoff performance. The incident is believed to be the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Ahmedabad airport has halted operations temporarily to facilitate debris removal and the ongoing investigation.

New Delhi-The Centre has issued a notification to the States informing that the provisions of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005 will not be invoked in the country after March 31. The Union Health Ministry said that the use of face masks and following hand hygiene will continue.

It implies that most of the Covid-related rules and restrictions would end.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla issued the notification which said that the decision was taken following the overall improvement in the situation and the preparedness of the government in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, local authorities and State police can still invoke fines and criminal cases against persons violating COVID-19 norms under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), a senior government official said.

The DM Act was invoked on March 24, 2020, due to the pandemic

“Over the last seven weeks or so there has been a steep decline in the number of cases. The total caseload in the country stands at 23,913 only and the daily positivity rate has declined to 0.28%. It is also worth mentioning that with the combined efforts, a total of 181.56 Cr vaccine doses have been administered,” the notification said.

“I would like to mention that in view of the nature of the disease, we still need to remain watchful of the situation. Wherever any surge in the number of cases is observed, the States/UTs may consider taking prompt and proactive action at a local level, as advised by MoHFW (Health Ministry) from time to time,” the notification said.

The Indian government had issued various guidelines and measures for the first time on March 24, 2020, under the Disaster Management Act to curb the COVID-19 situation in the country, which have been modified several times thereafter.

India currently has 23,087 active COVID-19 cases and recorded 1,778 new cases and 62 deaths in the last 24 hours. The daily positivity rate has also declined to 0.28%.