Air India Flight 171 Boeing 787 Crashes After Takeoff

Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner destined for London Gatwick, went down merely 32 seconds following its departure from Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, 2025, at roughly 13:39 IST. The aircraft carried 230 passengers along with 12 crew members. Moments after takeoff, both engine fuel-control switches shifted to the cutoff setting, causing simultaneous engine shutdown. The plane descended quickly and collided with multiple structures on the B. J. Medical College grounds, situated immediately outside the airport boundary. The collision and ensuing blaze produced extensive ground devastation. Among the 242 people aboard, 241 perished immediately, while a single passenger remained alive in grave condition. The accident claimed 19 lives on the ground and left approximately 67 individuals injured, including numerous medical students and healthcare workers. Witnesses described hearing a powerful blast and observing flames consuming sections of the campus. Response teams reached the scene rapidly, though firefighting and recovery efforts faced challenges from severe fires and wreckage. This represents the first fatal accident involving a Boeing 787 since the model began commercial operations in 2011. Officials promptly initiated an inquiry, with India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) coordinating the investigation together with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing technical staff. Preliminary examination suggested unintended or automatic activation of the fuel-control switches, though investigators continue analyzing the complete chain of events. The disaster has prompted renewed examination of flight deck design, pilot preparation, and operational safety measures. Air India announced a nationwide period of mourning, and memorial services took place in Ahmedabad, London, and throughout India. Government representatives have characterized the crash as among India's most catastrophic aviation disasters, citing both the substantial loss of life and the severe damage inflicted upon a heavily populated metropolitan zone.