What Happened to Air India Flight AI171?
On the morning of June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI171, bound for London Gatwick, took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 10:45 AM.
But within minutes, tragedy struck.
- The pilot issued a mayday call citing engine failure and smoke in the cabin.
- Eyewitnesses reported black smoke trailing from the left engine, followed by a deafening explosion.
- The aircraft plummeted just 4 km from the runway — crashing into the BJ Medical College hostel in Meghani Nagar.
Crash Impact: A City in Flames
- A section of the hostel was engulfed in flames.
- Fires spread across multiple floors.
- Chaos, panic, and screams filled the air as emergency responders rushed in.
Casualties & Survivors: Only One Made It Out
- 231 passengers and 11 crew were onboard.
- Only one survivor has been confirmed — a passenger seated in 11A, now hospitalized in critical condition. A true miracle.
- On the ground:
- 5 medical students died instantly.
- 30+ injured, many fighting for their lives.
Why Did the AI171 Plane Crash? Early Clues Emerge
Investigators from the DGCA and AAIB are analysing the black boxes.
Possible causes being probed:
- Catastrophic engine failure — likely due to bird strike or mechanical fault.
- Suspected electrical fire or fuel system malfunction.
- No signs of sabotage or terrorism — but systemic oversight failure is under scrutiny.
Ground Zero: BJ Medical College Hostel
The aircraft’s final impact site was a residential hostel for young doctors.
“We lost future lifesavers,” said a grieving professor.
“It wasn’t just a crash — it was a massacre of dreams.”
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is still conducting rescue ops amid debris, smoke, and emotional wreckage.
🇮🇳 National Mourning & Global Reactions
- PM Narendra Modi: “Unfathomable grief. Every Indian heart mourns today.”
- UK PM and King Charles III extended condolences to families affected.
- Gujarat Govt: ₹20 lakh compensation per victim’s family.
- Air India grounds entire 787 fleet pending inspections.
Aviation Safety Crisis in India?
This crash is reigniting urgent questions:
- Are Indian aircraft undergoing adequate pre-flight checks?
- Why are residential buildings near flight paths?
- Is Boeing 787 Dreamliner facing reliability issues?
Experts are now demanding:
- Immediate aviation reforms
- Upgraded emergency response systems
- Stronger international oversight
A Nation in Grief. A Tragedy We Must Never Forget.
The AI171 crash isn’t just a headline — it’s a human catastrophe that shattered families, futures, and faith in flight safety.
Could this have been prevented?
Why weren’t warning signs caught earlier?
And who will be held accountable?
As India searches for answers, the rest of the world watches and mourns.
