India’s civil aviation sector is in mourning following one of its deadliest air disasters in recent history. An Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 241 passengers and crew members onboard and at least eight people on the ground. The Union government is now weighing a potential grounding of the entire Boeing 787-8 fleet for a comprehensive safety review, according to senior government sources.
The tragic incident unfolded just minutes after Flight AI171 took off at 13:39 local time on Thursday. Mere moments later, the aircraft lost altitude and plummeted into Meghani Nagar, a densely populated area in Ahmedabad. The crash struck a residential building used as a doctors’ hostel for Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Medical College and Civil Hospital.
Devastation on the Ground: Hospital Hostel Bears the Brunt
The timing could not have been worse. The aircraft crashed during the hostel’s lunch hour, hitting the dining hall where students and residents were gathered. At least four medical students and four relatives of doctors lost their lives when debris tore through the canteen. Several others sustained injuries, including a young man who jumped from the second floor in panic.
“The scene is beyond words,” said Dr. Minakshi Parikh, dean of the medical college. “We are now focusing on DNA identification, a process that takes time but is crucial to ensure accuracy.”
Hospitals in the city have been inundated with relatives seeking information. DNA samples are being collected from families to help identify remains, while emergency personnel continue to recover bodies from the crash site.
Survivor’s Tale: A Miracle Escape
Remarkably, there was one survivor: Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national seated in 11A. Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh recounted his narrow escape. “I still cannot believe how I made it out alive,” he told reporters. He described hearing a massive crash, unbuckling his seatbelt, and finding a narrow gap to crawl through. “The side I was on hadn’t been completely destroyed, and I found an opening to get out,” he said.
His brother Ajay was also on the flight and remains unaccounted for. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing consular support to Ramesh and his family.
Air India confirmed that there were 242 people on board: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, one Canadian, and 12 crew members. Families across India and the UK are grappling with grief and uncertainty. Among them was a family from Gloucester, Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter Sara who were traveling together. Their local mosque expressed deep sorrow, describing the loss as “profoundly heartbreaking.”
King Charles, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have all offered condolences. Modi visited the crash site and the injured in hospital, describing the devastation as “deeply saddening.”
Boeing 787-8 Under Scrutiny
The aircraft involved was an 11-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, part of a fleet widely used by Air India. The model had completed over 700 flights in the past year alone. In the wake of the crash, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered immediate safety inspections of all Boeing 787s in service.
Beginning June 15, the DGCA will require one-time power assurance and takeoff parameter checks for every Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 flight. Experts suggest that the crash may have involved incorrect wing flap settings, which are critical during takeoff. Verified footage shows the aircraft descending rapidly with what appears to be retracted flaps a condition that could indicate human error or mechanical failure.
Air India and Boeing Respond
Air India has activated an emergency center and established a hotline (1800 5691 444) for concerned families. Tata Group, the parent company of Air India, announced ₹1 crore (approx. £86,000) in compensation for the families of those who perished. The company will also pay for medical treatments and help rebuild the damaged hostel.
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson expressed “deep sorrow” in a video statement. “Our efforts now are focused entirely on supporting passengers, crew, and families,” he said.
Boeing issued a brief statement confirming that it is in contact with Air India and is cooperating fully with the investigation. “Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders, and all those affected,” it read.
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has formally launched an investigation, with support from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). One of the aircraft’s black boxes has already been recovered, a crucial step in determining the cause of the crash.
Experts from both countries will jointly examine flight data, crew procedures, and technical aspects of the aircraft to identify any lapses or faults.
As India and the global aviation industry reel from this tragedy, difficult questions remain about aircraft safety and maintenance protocols. With over 58 Boeing aircraft in its fleet, Air India must now work to regain passenger trust while Boeing faces renewed scrutiny over its 787 line.
For the families of the victims, however, no technical explanation will ever replace what they’ve lost. The days ahead will be marked by grief, remembrance, and a collective call for accountability and safer skies.
