Here’s a comprehensive overview of the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash in Ahmedabad:
✈️ What happened
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On 12 June 2025, Air India Flight AI 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (VT‑ANB), took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, bound for London Gatwick. It crashed just 36 seconds after takeoff, plummeting into the B.J. Medical College hostel block in Meghani Nagar, a residential area near the airport.
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The aircraft failed to climb properly, maintained nose-up attitude and wings-level before impact. Onboard were 242 occupants (230 passengers, 12 crew); only one passenger survived, seat 11A (Vishwash Kumar Ramesh), reported by multiple outlets people.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3nypost.com+3. Unfortunately, 241 onboard and at least 39 on the ground perished .
🔍 Emergency response & rescue
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Crash site engulfed in explosions and thick black smoke; NDRF, CRPF, railway and police teams rushed in. Fires were extinguished, debris cleared, hospitals activated, and green corridors formed to ferry the injured bostonglobe.com+2m.economictimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2.
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Black boxes (Flight Data and Cockpit Voice Recorders) were recovered within 28 hours—though somewhat damaged—and efforts began to analyze crucial flight data reuters.com+8ndtv.com+8theguardian.com+8. They may be sent abroad for analysis .
🛠️ Potential causes under investigation
| Hypothesis | Details |
|---|---|
| Dual engine failure | Pilot reported “loss of power/thrust”. Aviation experts suggest both engines shut down almost simultaneously – possibly due to contamination or sudden malfunction marathi.indiatimes.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15news.com.au+15. |
| Fuel contamination | Former NAL official Saligram Murlidhar proposed this, noting the aircraft couldn’t climb despite full fuel load . |
| Ram Air Turbine (RAT) deployment | Video analysis by pilot Captain Steve Schreiber spotted the RAT under the wing, a sign of dual loss of power/hydraulics . |
| Bird strike/pilot error/flap settings | Experts mention bird strikes (though unlikely for both engines), flap misconfiguration, or pilot error as possibilities . |
| Aircraft/system maintenance issues | DGCA has ordered additional maintenance inspections on Boeing 787-8/9 with GE GEnx engines. Air India executives have been suspended pending probe into systemic safety lapses . |
🛑 Immediate fallout
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DGCA, “high-level multi-disciplinary committee” and international bodies (like US NTSB) involved in the probe indianexpress.com+1abcnews.go.com+1.
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Air India announced relief flights for next of kin, compensation by Tata Group (₹1 crore per victim), medical cost support m.economictimes.com+1indianexpress.com+1.
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India’s aviation regulator ordered safety audits and maintenance of similar Dreamliner aircraft. Three senior Air India officers removed due to prior safety lapses thesun.co.uk.
🧩 What comes next
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Black box data and CVR analysis are vital to confirm engine performance and cockpit actions .
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The probe could take several months, exploring mechanical, operational, fuel, pilot-training, and regulatory dimensions .
📌 Summary
The most plausible cause—dual engine power loss—could stem from fuel contamination, system failure, or misconfigurations. The presence of the Ram Air Turbine, expert evaluations, and ongoing investigations point towards a severe technical malfunction rather than just pilot error or bird strike.
This image and information offer a clearer view of the wreckage and investigative efforts. Let me know if you’d like detailed reports on black box findings, safety audits, or survivor interviews.
news.com.au
economictimes.indiatimes.com
thesun.co.uk
marathi.indiatimes.com
timesofindia.indiatimes.com