✈️ Air India Flight Crashes: Full Timeline, Latest News, Passenger Details, and Aviation History
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An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed just after takeoff on June 12, 2025, carrying 244 people. This in-depth, SEO-optimized guide covers the latest news, timeline, passenger and crew details, rescue operations, official statements, and the legacy of Air India air disasters. Stay tuned for live updates and comprehensive coverage for US and global readers.
Sky News: What We Know So Far About the Air India Crash
📰 Breaking News: Air India AI171 Crash – What Happened?
🗓️ Date: June 12, 2025
📍 Location: Ahmedabad, India, just outside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
🛫 Flight: Air India AI171, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
👥 Onboard: 232 passengers, 12 crew (2 pilots, 10 cabin crew)
⏰ Timeline:
⚠️ Cause: Under investigation by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and a possible technical team from Boeing.
Times of India: Ahmedabad Plane Crash – Air India Flight AI171
📍 Location: Ahmedabad, India, just outside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
🛫 Flight: Air India AI171, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
👥 Onboard: 232 passengers, 12 crew (2 pilots, 10 cabin crew)
⏰ Timeline:
- Took off just after 1pm local time
- Lost contact seconds after takeoff at 625ft altitude
- Issued a MAYDAY call, but no further response
- Crashed outside the airport perimeter in the Meghani Nagar residential area, less than a minute after departure
- Thick black smoke and flames seen; video shows ambulances and stretchers at the scene
⚠️ Cause: Under investigation by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and a possible technical team from Boeing.
👥 Passengers, Crew & Nationalities
👤 Passengers: 232
🧑✈️ Crew: 12 (2 pilots, 10 cabin crew)
🌎 Nationalities:
🧑💼 Notable Passengers: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those onboard.
🛬 Flight Load: The aircraft was carrying heavy fuel for the long-haul journey, increasing the intensity of the explosion and fire.
BBC: What We Know So Far About the Air India Crash
🧑✈️ Crew: 12 (2 pilots, 10 cabin crew)
🌎 Nationalities:
- 53 British citizens
- 169 Indian nationals
- 1 Canadian
- 7 Portuguese nationals
🧑💼 Notable Passengers: Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those onboard.
🛬 Flight Load: The aircraft was carrying heavy fuel for the long-haul journey, increasing the intensity of the explosion and fire.
🚑 Rescue, Emergency Response & Official Statements
🚑 Emergency Response: Multiple fire engines and ambulances responded immediately. Footage shows people being moved on stretchers, with thick black smoke rising from the scene.
🏥 Casualties: No official confirmation yet on fatalities or injuries as rescue and medical teams continue their work.
🗣️ Statements:
NPR: Air India Plane Carrying More Than 240 People Crashes
🏥 Casualties: No official confirmation yet on fatalities or injuries as rescue and medical teams continue their work.
🗣️ Statements:
- India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu: “Shocked and devastated... I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action.”
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah: Central government will provide all necessary assistance for rescue and investigation.
- Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran: “Emergency center has been activated and support teams are being deployed for affected families.”
🛫 Timeline: How the Crash Unfolded
⏰ Timeline of Events:
Economic Times: List of India's Most Devastating Air Tragedies
- 1:00pm IST: Flight AI171 departs Ahmedabad for London Gatwick
- Seconds after takeoff: Aircraft reaches 625ft, issues MAYDAY call
- No further response to ATC; plane crashes outside airport perimeter in Meghani Nagar
- Within minutes: Emergency services, fire engines, and ambulances arrive
- Ongoing: Rescue, firefighting, and medical aid operations
- Airport operations suspended until further notice
📚 Air India Crash History: Past Tragedies & Aviation Safety
📜 Previous Air India Disasters:
Wikipedia: Air India Flight 182 – Full History
- Air India Flight 182 (1985): Bombing over the Atlantic, 329 dead (largest loss of life in Air India history)
- Air India Express Flight 812 (2010): Mangalore runway overrun, 158 dead
- Air India Flight 403 (1982): Crash in Bombay during monsoon, 17 dead
- Charkhi Dadri Mid-Air Collision (1996): 349 dead, world’s deadliest mid-air collision (Saudi Arabian Airlines & Kazakhstan Airlines)
- 2020 Kozhikode Crash: Air India Express, 21 dead, 165 injured
💡 FAQ: What US and Global Readers Want to Know About the Air India Crash
💡 FAQ:
BBC: Air India Crash – Live Updates & Family Support
- What caused the crash? Investigation ongoing; the aircraft issued a MAYDAY call and crashed seconds after takeoff.
- How many people were on board? 244 total (232 passengers, 12 crew).
- Were there any survivors? No official word yet; rescue operations are ongoing.
- Who was on board? Passengers from India, UK, Portugal, Canada; notable figures include ex-Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.
- What is being done for families? Air India has activated an emergency center and support teams for affected families.
- What happens next? DGCA and Boeing will investigate; airport remains closed; government promises full support and transparency.
- How does this compare to past Air India disasters? This is among the worst, but not as deadly as the 1985 bombing or Charkhi Dadri collision.
©️ 2025 | Air India Flight Crash: Complete Guide for US Readers, Aviation Watchers & Global News Fans