In what is shaping up to be the most devastating accident involving Boeing’s advanced wide-body 787 Dreamliner, an Air India flight en route to London’s Gatwick Airport crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, India. The aircraft, operating as Flight AI171, was carrying 242 passengers and crew when it went down, exploding into a massive fireball just minutes after departure.
Air India confirmed the incident and said a full investigation is underway. Video footage circulating on social media shows the aircraft with its landing gear still extended, flying at a low altitude before descending and erupting into flames. Flightradar24 data indicates the jet had reached only 190 meters (approximately 620 feet) before the catastrophic descent.
Gatwick Airport, where the flight was due to arrive at 18:25 local time, confirmed the crash, adding that emergency protocols were being coordinated with both Indian and British aviation authorities. There are currently no confirmed survivors, and no fatalities have been officially reported, though the scale of the destruction has led to grave concerns.
Local Indian news outlets report that the flight’s captain, Sumeet Sabharwal, and first officer, Clive Kundar, issued a distress signal shortly after takeoff, but contact was lost shortly thereafter. Gujarat state authorities, under the direction of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, have mobilized rescue and recovery operations at the crash site. Teams are working to identify remains and determine whether any survivors might be found.
The tragedy adds to a growing list of aviation disasters this year, including a mid-air collision between a military helicopter and civilian aircraft in Washington. Air India, owned by Tata Group, is currently undergoing a major restructuring effort involving the acquisition of new aircraft to meet the demands of India’s expanding middle class. In a statement, Tata confirmed the crash and extended condolences to the families of those on board.
Aviation analysts have noted that the Dreamliner involved in the crash was a relatively new model, raising questions about potential mechanical or software failures. Boeing has not yet commented. International aviation safety bodies are expected to join the investigation, which could have implications for future operations of the 787 fleet globally.
