Ahmedabad Plane Crash 2025: Full Report, Causes, Casualties & Investigation

On June 12, 2025, a significant aviation incident occurred near Ahmedabad Plane Crash, Gujarat, when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight AI 171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick Airport, carrying a total of 242 individuals, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members.

Incident Overview of Ahmedabad Plane Crash

The crash took place in the Meghani Nagar area, a densely populated residential locality adjacent to the airport. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions followed by thick plumes of black smoke rising from the crash site. Some accounts suggest that the aircraft struck the perimeter wall of the airport before descending into the residential area, causing damage to nearby buildings.

Emergency services, including at least seven fire engines and multiple ambulances, were dispatched immediately to the scene. All roads leading to the crash site and surrounding areas were sealed off to facilitate rescue operations. The intensity of the fire was exacerbated by the aircraft’s full fuel load for the long-haul flight.(Ahmedabad Plane Crash)

Flight and Aircraft Overview(Ahmedabad Plane Crash)

The aircraft involved was an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, Flight AI 171, scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick. It was carrying approximately 242 individuals 230 passengers and 12 crew members making it a fully booked long-haul flight.

The Boeing 787-8 is a modern wide-body aircraft renowned for its safety, efficiency, and long-range capability. It is typically used for international routes and has an excellent operational record globally, which makes the Ahmedabad Plane Crash all the more shocking.

Timeline of the Ahmedabad Plane Crash

Takeoff: The flight took off shortly after 6 a.m. IST.
Moments After Takeoff: Within two to three minutes, witnesses report hearing an unusual rumble followed by a sharp dip in the plane’s trajectory.
Crash Site: The aircraft collided with an outer wall of the airport perimeter and plunged into the Meghani Nagar locality—a dense residential area.
Explosion and Fire: Multiple explosions were reported, likely due to full fuel tanks. Huge flames and thick black smoke engulfed the crash site.

Compensation and Legal Measures

Ex-Gratia Announcements:
- Rupees 10 lakh to families of deceased Indian nationals.
- Insurance payouts under the Montreal Convention may exceed Rupees 1 crore per passenger.
Legal teams are already coordinating with international passengers’ families.
A lawsuit in London is being considered for negligence in pre-flight inspection.

Casualties and Rescue Efforts

As of the latest updates, the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed. Reports vary, with some sources citing 133 passengers and crew members aboard, while others mention figures ranging from 180 to 242 individuals. The discrepancies in passenger counts have yet to be resolved.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency personnel working to extricate survivors and recover bodies from the wreckage. The severity of the crash and the extent of the damage to the surrounding area have posed significant challenges to the response efforts.

Emergency Response and Rescue

Immediate Response: Firefighters, police, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams reached within 15 minutes.
Casualties: Initial reports indicate over 150 fatalities, including passengers, crew, and some people on the ground. Survivors are being treated at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and private facilities.
Identification: DNA tests are underway for badly burned bodies. Air India has set up a help desk and family assistance center.

Investigation and Preliminary Findings

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India have launched investigations into the cause of the crash. A technical team has been dispatched to assess the incident. At the time of the crash, the plane was heavily fueled for the long-haul flight to London, which may have contributed to the intensity of the fire.(Ahmedabad Plane Crash)

Initial reports have not confirmed the specific cause of theAhmedabad Plane Crash. The possibility of mechanical failure or pilot error has not been ruled out. Further details are awaited as investigations continue.

Investigation and Black Box Recovery

Investigating Agencies:
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
- Boeing experts expected to arrive from the U.S.
Black Boxes: Both the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) have been recovered and are being analyzed.
Key Concerns:
- Technical failure in the flight control system or engines.
- Bird strike or external object ingestion.
- Pilot error or spatial disorientation.

No distress call was made by the pilots, which raises concerns about how fast the emergency unfolded.

Eyewitness :

Residents described a horrific scene:

“The plane was wobbling unnaturally.”
“We heard a loud blast followed by screams.”
Some say it appeared the pilot tried a controlled crash to avoid the thickest residential area.

People rushed out of their homes. Videos showed the aircraft wreckage scattered across lanes and the front portion embedded into a crumbled building.

Government and Political Response

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly spoke with the Chief Minister of Gujarat following the incident. Statements from central and state government authorities are awaited.

The incident has raised serious concerns about aviation safety and has prompted calls for a thorough investigation to determine the cause and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief and promised a thorough investigation.
Union Civil Aviation Minister has called an emergency review of all Dreamliner operations in India.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the site and met with injured victims.

Media Coverage and Public Reaction of Ahmedabad Plane Crash

The crash has been widely reported by national and international media outlets. Visuals from the Ahmedabad Plane crash site show thick black smoke rising from the wreckage, with emergency services visible in the vicinity.

Social media platforms have been flooded with posts and videos from eyewitnesses, sharing real-time updates and reactions to the incident. The public’s response has been one of shock and concern, with many expressing sympathy for the victims and their families.