Tragedy Averted: Ahmedabad Plane Accident Sparks Aviation Safety Concerns

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🛑 Ahmedabad Shock: Air India Boeing 787‑8 Crashes After Takeoff

Date: June 12, 2025
Flight: Air India Flight AI 171 (Boeing 787‑8 VT‑ANB)
Route: Ahmedabad (AMD) → London Gatwick (LGW)
Occupants: 242 (230 passengers, 12 crew)
Fatalities: 241 onboard + ~38 on ground (~279 total)
Survivors: 1 (seat 11A, British–Indian national)
Crash Site: B.J. Medical College hostel, Meghaninagar, Ahmedabad

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🌍 Flight AI 171’s final moments

At 13:38 IST, Flight AI 171 took off from Ahmedabad but struggled to climb beyond ~300 ft. Within 30 seconds, the aircraft nosedived into the B.J. Medical College hostel, erupting in a vicious fireball. CCTV footage and eyewitnesses confirmed landing gear was still down at impact.

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😔 Human cost of tragedy

• Onboard victims: 241 (169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian) .
• Ground fatalities: ~38 people at hostel; 50+ students injured.
• Sole survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, British–Indian, emerged from row 11A with minor injuries—able to escape through an emergency exit.

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🚨 Emergency response

• Rapid deployment of NDRF, BSF, police, army, and airport fire services.
• DNA identification of victims began immediately; bodies recovered within 28 hours.
• Prime Minister Modi, along with UK PM Starmer, expressed profound condolences.

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🔍 Preliminary investigation

India’s AAIB, aided by U.S., U.K. agencies, Boeing, and GE Aerospace, is leading the probe. Focus areas include:

• Engine performance, flaps, and landing gear (notably, gear remained extended upon impact).
• Black boxes recovered—flight data and cockpit voice recorders are expected to reveal critical insights.
• Routine safety inspections on all Air India 787s with GEnx engines mandated from June 15 onward.

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🛫 Industry ripples

• This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the deadliest air disaster in India in a decade.
• Boeing’s CEO pulled out of the Paris Air Show; company and GE share prices fell sharply on market fears .
• The incident raises urgent questions about pilot training, fleet maintenance, and rapid aviation expansion in India.

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💔 Behind the numbers

The crash shattered countless lives. Noteworthy losses include:

• Dr. Kaumi Vyas & family—their smiling pre-flight selfie went viral as a symbol of lost dreams.
• BJ Medical College students, including those in the dining hall—some were critically injured or killed during lunch.
• Grounded grief—nearly 38 individuals at the hostel died; dozens more wounded from shattered dormitories.

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🧭 Moving forward

• Investigations by AAIB and international agencies will shed light on technical & human factors.
• Regulatory reforms: Temporary fleet-wide checks on 787s and increased scrutiny over takeoff protocols and emergency gear deployment.
• Support systems: Financial compensation, grief counseling, hospital care, and DNA matching for victims’ families are underway, led by Air India and the Tata Group.

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📝 Final Words

Flight AI 171’s crash in Ahmedabad is a deeply tragic event—one that underscores both the fragility of life and the critical importance of aviation safety at every level. With nearly 280 lives lost and a lone survivor’s story shining through the devastation, this incident stands as a somber reminder. As investigations continue, the hope is for transparency, accountability, and meaningful change—to honor the victims and fortify the future of air travel in India.

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Written by LoanChacha

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