Boeing faces yet another devastating blow as Air India Flight AI 171 crashes in Ahmedabad killing all 242 passengers and crew, marking the first-ever fatal accident involving the 787 Dreamliner.
Key Takeaways
- Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad bound for London Gatwick, with 242 people onboard, including 169 Indians and 53 Britons.
- Local authorities confirm 204 bodies recovered with no survivors, as the aircraft plunged into Meghani Nagar residential area after issuing a mayday call.
- This marks the first-ever crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, sending Boeing shares plummeting 9% in pre-market trading amid ongoing safety concerns.
- The FAA and NTSB are joining Indian authorities in the investigation of what appears to be India’s worst aviation disaster since 2020.
Disaster Unfolds in Ahmedabad Residential Area
A catastrophic aviation disaster struck India on June 12, 2025, as Air India Flight AI 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, plunged into the Meghani Nagar residential area after issuing a mayday call. According to Ahmedabad’s police commissioner G.S. Malik, “It appears there are no survivors in the plane crash,” with 204 bodies already recovered from the wreckage. Rescue teams continue searching through the debris that includes a doctors’ hostel where additional casualties may be discovered.
Eyewitness videos captured the aircraft’s final moments, showing the plane descending with its nose up before a massive fireball erupted upon impact. Heavy black smoke could be seen billowing from the crash site as emergency responders rushed to the scene. The aircraft reportedly made a distress call immediately after takeoff but failed to respond to subsequent communications from air traffic control, suggesting a catastrophic emergency situation developed rapidly. This marks the first major passenger plane crash in India since 2020, when an Air India Express flight overran a runway during landing.
First Fatal Crash of Boeing 787 Dreamliner
This disaster marks a grim milestone in aviation history as the first fatal crash involving Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner since the model entered service in 2011. The aircraft, touted for its fuel efficiency and advanced technology, had previously maintained a perfect safety record with zero hull losses. Aviation consultant John M. Cox noted concerns about flight characteristics immediately before the crash, stating, At this point, it’s very, very, very early; we don’t know a whole lot. Initial observations show the aircraft’s nose was up but it wasn’t climbing properly, a critical detail investigators will scrutinize.
🚨🇮🇳 AIR INDIA CRASH: WHAT WENT WRONG BEFORE IMPACT?
Flight AI-171 took off from Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM IST and climbed to just 625 feet before pilots issued a Mayday call – then all contact with ATC was lost.
Seconds later, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the Meghani… https://t.co/6Q7A3WmAPY pic.twitter.com/GMvlRTLcG0
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 12, 2025
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” said Air India Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran
Boeing’s stock immediately felt the impact of this tragedy, with shares dropping nearly 9% in pre-market trading. The American manufacturer issued a brief statement saying they were “working to gather more information.” This crash comes at a particularly troubling time for Boeing, which has faced intense scrutiny over quality control and safety concerns with other aircraft models. The timing is especially awkward as the crash occurred just days before the Paris Air Show, one of the world’s premier aviation events where manufacturers showcase their latest technologies and secure commercial deals.
International Response and Investigation
The crash has triggered a massive emergency response and international investigation. Search and rescue teams, including firefighters and the Indian army, immediately deployed to the crash site, which has now been 70-80% cleared according to local officials. The FAA and NTSB from the United States have already committed to providing technical support for the investigation, which will focus on recovering the aircraft’s black boxes containing crucial flight data and cockpit voice recordings. The 787 Dreamliner features extensive flight data monitoring systems that should provide investigators with detailed information about the final moments of the flight.
“The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us,” said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Leaders from around the world have expressed their condolences, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and King Charles III. The passenger manifest revealed a diverse group of travelers, including 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian, making this a truly international tragedy. Air India has pledged that “our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families,” though the airline now faces the grim task of coordinating with multiple governments to handle the aftermath of this devastating accident that has shaken the global aviation community.
