Tragedy in the Skies: Air India Flight AI-171 Crash in Ahmedabad Sparks National Mourning and Global Investigation


Formal Investigation by AAIB Initiated

In the aftermath of the devastating crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which claimed the lives of 241 people onboard, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a full-scale investigation. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that this inquiry will follow international protocols as laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The AAIB, functioning under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is India's primary agency for probing civil aviation accidents. In addition to the investigation, a high-level committee of multidisciplinary experts is being constituted to examine the causes of the accident and recommend safety reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future.

US-Based NTSB to Assist Probe

In an extraordinary step of international cooperation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States is preparing to send a team of experts to India to assist in the investigation. The aircraft in question, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, falls under US manufacturing jurisdiction, prompting NTSB involvement as per ICAO’s Annex 13 norms.

The NTSB clarified that while its experts will assist, all official information dissemination will be handled by the Indian authorities.

The Crash: Timeline and Impact

Air India Flight 171 was operating a long-haul international flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick when disaster struck. The aircraft took off at 1338 IST from Runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

Shortly after take-off, the aircraft made a Mayday distress call to Air Traffic Control (ATC), but lost communication moments later. Eyewitness accounts and ATC officials confirm that the aircraft crashed outside the airport perimeter, colliding with a resident doctors’ hostel building near the take-off site. A dense plume of black smoke was seen emerging from the crash location.


Casualties and Nationalities

Of the 242 people onboard, 241 have been confirmed dead, including 12 crew members. The aircraft was carrying:

  • 169 Indian nationals

  • 53 British nationals

  • 7 Portuguese nationals

  • 1 Canadian national

In a rare miracle, one British national of Indian origin survived the crash and is undergoing treatment in a hospital.

Crew Details

The aircraft was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 flying hours. Both perished in the crash.

Airline and Government Response

Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, issued a public statement confirming the loss of life and has taken prompt steps to assist affected families. The airline has activated dedicated helplines:

  • India Toll-Free: 1800 5691 444

  • International: +91 8062779200

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran announced that the group will provide ₹1 crore as ex-gratia compensation to each victim’s family. Additionally, Tata has pledged to:

  • Cover all medical expenses of the sole survivor

  • Rebuild the damaged B.J. Medical hostel

  • Offer psychological and logistical support to affected families

Rescue Operations and Site Visit

The Gujarat government has deployed seven teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) comprising 90 personnel from Gandhinagar to lead rescue and recovery operations at the site.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson personally visited the crash site in Ahmedabad on June 13, 2025, and met with local authorities, airline staff, and families of victims, reaffirming Air India’s commitment to transparency and assistance.

Conclusion: A Call for Safer Skies

This disaster marks one of the worst aviation tragedies in India’s history. The incident underscores the urgent need for robust oversight, advanced aircraft maintenance systems, and international cooperation in aviation safety protocols. The outcome of the AAIB and NTSB investigations will be critical in identifying technical or systemic failures and will serve as a benchmark for India’s future aviation safety policies.


Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Comments

Post a Comment