The world is reeling from the deadliest aviation disaster in more than 10 years, as an Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming at least 241 lives and injuring many others.
Air India officials confirmed the Boeing aircraft went down just minutes after leaving the runway, leaving behind widespread devastation and unanswered questions about how such a well-maintained jet could fail so catastrophically.
Follow our live coverage for the latest developments surrounding the crash that left only one survivor. Here's an overview of what happened and what is currently known about the possible causes.
What Happened to Flight AI171?
Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, departed from Ahmedabad Airport in western India at 1:38 PM local time (6:38 PM AEST) on Thursday. The aircraft was headed for London’s Gatwick Airport.
Moments after takeoff, the flight issued a mayday alert to aviation authorities. However, after the emergency call, the pilots failed to respond to any further communication from air traffic control.
Data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft reached an altitude of just 625 feet (190 meters) before beginning its rapid descent.
According to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General of the Directorate of Civil Aviation, the crash occurred within five minutes of takeoff.
Footage shared on social media captured the harrowing final moments: the aircraft plunging toward the ground before erupting into a massive fireball, with thick black smoke engulfing the skyline.
The plane crashed into a heavily populated area, directly striking the hostel building of BJ Medical College.
Divyansh Singh, vice-president of the Federation of All India Medical Association, reported that at least five medical students on the ground lost their lives, with around 50 others sustaining injuries.
Who Was Onboard?
Air India confirmed that 242 individuals were on the flight, including 229 passengers and 12 crew members.
Among the passengers were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian.
Tragically, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was also among the deceased, as confirmed by BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra.
In a video statement, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the injured had been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Family members of the victims have begun sharing their anguish. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek and his husband Jamie Meek were among the passengers. Jamie’s brother, Nick Meek, told The Times that they had been expecting him home in Birmingham that evening.
“He was supposed to land at 6:30 PM and then drive home by 11 to pick up his dog from our mum’s place,” Nick said.
Investigating the Cause of the Crash
The precise reason for the crash is still unknown, and aviation authorities have launched a full investigation.
Experts are closely examining video footage and flight data to determine what went wrong. While theories are still speculative, some analysts believe a rare combination of failures may have caused the tragedy.
Aviation expert and former pilot Guy Hirst told ABC News that he suspects a dual engine failure might be to blame—a rare but catastrophic event.
“One possible cause could be bird strikes,” said Hirst. “Ahmedabad has had frequent issues with bird activity. While airport authorities have taken steps to mitigate these risks, it remains a known hazard.”
He noted the aircraft’s descent appeared controlled in some respects: “The wings were level, and the nose wasn’t pitched up—which rules out a stall. If it was an engine failure during a critical phase, you'd expect the plane to bank or behave asymmetrically. But this didn’t seem to be the case. It looked like both engines may have failed simultaneously.”
Credit - abc.net.au