EMERGENCY ARTICLE: Air India Flight 171

 Details:

  • Air India flight 171 scheduled to fly from Ahmedabad (VAAH / AMD) to London Gatwick (EGKK / LGW) on 12th June 2025 crashed imminently post takeoff.
  • It was registered VT-AMB fitted with GEnx engines.
  • The flight was carrying 242 passengers, ten crew members and two pilots.
  • The aircraft was flown by Captain Sumit Sabharval with 8200 flight hours and First Officer Clive Kundar with 1100 flight hours.


Crash:
  • The aircraft took off normally from Runway 23 at 1:38PM IST until it began descending rapidly.
  • Its transponder stopped responding at 625 feet.
  • The pilot called MAYDAY stating a lack of thrust due to which the aircraft stooped down.
  • This could have been a dual engine failure, and with such less thrust or airspeed the aircraft wouldn't be able to glide, and the APU wouldn't make much difference.


  • The aircraft didn't respond to ATC after the mayday call.
  • Again, the reason for the crash is still unconfirmed. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has launched a probe already. A team from the US has also been dispatched for assistance. 
  • The weather was clear, and no birds were visible in the videos. Flap settings and the aircraft being overweight are also theories going around. 
  • The aircraft crashed into the hostel of a medical college, in a residential area. Multiple fatalities and casualties have been reported on the ground.
  • The black box is still to be recovered.
Response:
  • Several fire brigades (at least 7), local police, ambulances and the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) have been deployed.
  • The CISF too has been deployed, and the Indian Army has been deployed including military doctors and paramedics.
  • Ahmedabad Airport (VAAH / AMD) has been temporarily shut down.
  • This was the first complete hull-loss of a 787 in history, possibly owing to Boeing safety concerns.
Fatalities:
  • The number of confirmed fatalities is 204, and this is set to rise.
  • The flight had 169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian national.
  • Several news outlets are reporting between 1-2 survivors.
  • The police have confirmed that one 40-year-old man, a British National, Vishwansh Kumar was seated in 11A, the seat right next to an emergency exit, and has miraculously survived.
  • He himself walked out of the aircraft without support and approached the first responders.
  • He is receiving medical attention at a civil hospital. He has impact injuries to his eyes, face, and chest.
  • He presented his legitimate-looking boarding pass to authorities.
  • There is a possibility of more survivors. However, this story is still developing.
  • The TATA group will provide USD 117,000 to the families of the deceased. 

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