Tragedy struck on Thursday afternoon when Air India flight AI 171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after take-off, with 242 passengers and crew members on board. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner went down in Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area just outside the perimeter of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
The aircraft took off at 13:38 hrs local time and disappeared from radar within five minutes. Eyewitnesses reported plumes of thick black smoke rising from the crash site. All flight operations at the airport were temporarily suspended following the incident.
“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India flight AI 171 operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” said Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran in an official statement.
According to the airline, the flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. On board were two pilots and 10 cabin crew members, as confirmed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
While no official casualty figures have yet been released, search and rescue operations are ongoing.
The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned line training captain with over 8,200 hours of flight experience, assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had accumulated 1,100 flight hours. The aircraft had completed a domestic leg from Delhi to Ahmedabad earlier in the day.
The DGCA confirmed that the aircraft crashed shortly after lifting off from Runway 23. A mayday call was received by Air Traffic Control (ATC), but communication ceased immediately afterward.
“The aircraft, immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell outside the airport boundary. Heavy black smoke was seen at the crash site,” said a DGCA spokesperson.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, with Air India, Boeing, and the DGCA jointly leading the probe. As of press time, there has been no confirmation of the black box recovery.
Air India has established an emergency response centre to assist families of passengers. “Our primary focus is supporting all affected individuals and their families,” Chandrasekaran said. A passenger helpline has also been activated.
In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirmed in the House of Commons that British nationals were on board. “The FCDO is working urgently with local authorities to assist affected British nationals and has activated crisis teams in Delhi and London,” he said.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Yadav confirmed that emergency response teams were immediately deployed and relief operations are ongoing. “A green corridor has been arranged to transport injured passengers to hospitals, with treatment being prioritized,” he stated.
Emergency personnel, airport teams, and central agencies are coordinating efforts to manage the crash site, assist survivors, and provide support to families.
Further details, including casualty reports and investigation findings, are expected as recovery operations continue.
