Tragedy in Seconds
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner registered VT‑ANB, took off from Ahmedabad at 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC) bound for London Gatwick. Just seconds after departure from runway 23, the aircraft crashed into a hostel block at B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area. People.com+15Wikipedia+15ThePrint+15
Casualties
- Onboard: Of the 242 aboard (230 passengers + 12 crew), 241 lost their lives.
- On the Ground: Between 19 and 34 individuals—medical students, staff, and residents—died when the aircraft struck the college hostel. Gujarat’s health department later confirmed a total death toll of 275, out of which 241 were onboard and 34 on the ground.
- Injured: Approximately 68 injured, most receiving emergency trauma care.
- Survivor: The sole survivor was Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year‑old British‑Indian seated at an emergency exit. He described the aircraft “stuck in the air” before it fell.
Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, aged 68, en route to London.
Preliminary Investigation Findings
India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) quickly launched a probe, recovering both flight data and cockpit voice recorders. A preliminary report revealed:
- The fuel control switches for both engines were inexplicably flipped from “RUN” to “CUTOFF” just after takeoff, causing immediate loss of thrust. Although they were toggled back to “RUN”, only one engine briefly restarted before the aircraft lost lift and crashed within ~30 seconds.
- Cockpit audio captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel was cut off; both denied responsibility. The switches are designed with safeguards to prevent accidental use. Pilot error—intentional or inadvertent—remains under scrutiny.
- There were no signs of mechanical engine failure or fuel contamination. Maintenance logs indicate the aircraft underwent recent checks including a C‑check and engine overhauls. Barron’s
Response & Aftermath
- The Government of India has convened a high‑level panel, led by the Home Secretary, to review aviation procedures, air traffic coordination, and emergency protocols. A final report is expected within three months.
- Air India, under Tata Group’s leadership, pledged compensation: ₹1 crore per death, plus interim payments of ₹25 lakh to families and the survivor. They also initiated fleet-wide safety audits for all Boeing 787 aircraft.
- The DGCA mandated inspections of Boeing 787 fuel control systems following a 2018 FAA advisory. Air India reportedly had not fully complied with the earlier recommendation.
Impact & Significance
This is the first fatal crash involving the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and it instantly became India’s deadliest aviation disaster in nearly 30 years. The scale and nature of the incident have reopened scrutiny over cockpit design and training standards, drawing parallels to past errors in fuel system handling.
What Happens Next
- The final AAIB report may take several months. It will analyze voice logs, switch mechanisms, and crew procedures.
- International agencies including the U.S. NTSB, FAA, and Boeing are assisting with the investigation.
- Families continue to receive support through specially established centers, DNA identification protocols, and compensation processes.
📌 Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date & Location | June 12, 2025 • Ahmedabad (Ahmedabad Airport → B.J. Medical College) |
| Flight & Aircraft | AI 171 • Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner (VT‑ANB) |
| Occupants | 242 onboard (230 passengers + 12 crew) |
| Fatalities | 275 total (241 onboard + 34 ground) |
| Injuries | ~68 injured |
| Survivor | 1 (British‑Indian passenger) |
| Cause (Prelim.) | Fuel cutoff via cockpit switches |
| Investigation | Ongoing by AAIB, supported by international agencies |
| Response | High-level probe, compensation & safety audits |
This summary is based on preliminary findings and widely reported details — final conclusions may evolve once the full investigation report is released.
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