Ahmedabad, India – A London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people tragically crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on Wednesday, with no survivors reported, according to Indian media outlets.
The aircraft, operating as Flight AI171 to London Gatwick, went down moments after leaving Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The crash site was located near a doctors’ residential hostel, causing additional concern for casualties or structural damage on the ground, though no injuries outside the plane have yet been confirmed.
Details of the Flight and Passengers
The Boeing aircraft was reported to be carrying 242 individuals, including 225 passengers and 17 crew members. The passenger list included:
- 169 Indian nationals
- 53 British citizens
- 7 Portuguese nationals
- 1 Canadian citizen
The flight was en route to London Gatwick Airport, a major hub for international travel between India and the UK.
Eyewitness reports and footage from the scene captured plumes of thick, black smoke billowing near the airport shortly after the crash. Emergency responders, including fire crews and paramedics, were deployed immediately to the area.
Crash Impact and Response
The aircraft is believed to have lost altitude rapidly just after takeoff and crashed onto a residential building housing medical professionals, potentially endangering lives on the ground. While there is no immediate word on ground casualties, authorities are still combing the area for survivors or further damage.
Rescue efforts were underway throughout the morning, with local police and fire services coordinating evacuation procedures and securing the crash site. Air India has not yet released an official statement, but senior aviation officials and government authorities have confirmed the scale of the disaster.
International Response and Investigation
In London, the UK Foreign Office confirmed it is working closely with Indian authorities to verify the identities of the 53 British nationals on board. Portugal and Canada have also acknowledged their nationals were among the victims and are expected to issue formal statements shortly.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media, stating that he was “deeply pained by the loss of lives” and promised a full investigation into the crash. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated an inquiry, with the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) leading technical assessments on the cause of the incident.
Aviation Safety Concerns
The crash has once again raised questions about aviation safety standards and aircraft maintenance protocols, especially in older fleets. While Air India has a long-established safety record, the tragedy will likely prompt increased scrutiny and internal audits.
Recent safety reports from the Indian aviation sector have recommended improvements in pilot training and aircraft inspection standards, especially on long-haul international routes. These recommendations are now expected to be revisited in light of this disaster.
Flight AI171: Background
Flight AI171 operates between Ahmedabad and London Gatwick, a route that connects a large Indian diaspora community to the UK. The service is particularly popular with Indian nationals residing in the UK and European tourists returning from India.
This is the deadliest aviation disaster in India since the 2010 Air India Express crash in Mangalore, which killed 158 people.
As investigations continue, the focus will shift to recovering the black box flight recorder, determining what led to the crash, and providing support to the families of the victims.
