A tragic incident unfolded when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, operating as flight AI-171 from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft took off from runway 23 at approximately 1:35 PM IST but encountered disaster just four minutes later, going down in the Meganinagar area, situated just outside the airport perimeter.
The flight was carrying a total of 242 individuals, which included 2 pilots and 10 cabin crew members. At the helm was Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a seasoned pilot with over 8,200 flight hours to his name, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar, who has logged around 1,100 hours of flying experience. Reports indicate that a MAYDAY distress call was issued to air traffic control just moments before communication with the aircraft was abruptly severed.
Eyewitness accounts from the vicinity of the crash site describe a rapidly descending airplane, followed by a loud explosion and plumes of heavy black smoke emerging from the wreckage. Emergency services, including fire brigades, ambulances, and police units, swiftly reached the crash site to initiate rescue operations. While several passengers have been successfully retrieved from the ruins, the extent of casualties is still unclear.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has dispatched a team of investigators from Delhi to ascertain the cause of the crash. Initial speculation suggests that either mechanical failure or human error may have contributed to the disaster. However, officials have cautioned against premature conclusions, emphasizing the importance of thorough investigation. The crucial black boxes—which include the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—will play a vital role in piecing together the events leading to the incident.
Although the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been celebrated for its safety features and technological innovations since its introduction in 2011, this crash represents a significant hull loss for the model, which has otherwise maintained a commendable global safety record, having been involved in only 13 major incidents previously.
Unverified sources indicate that there may be over 100 fatalities, and speculation is rife regarding the possible presence of former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani aboard the ill-fated flight. Authorities have yet to release an official passenger list and have urged the public to avoid sharing unsubstantiated information.
In response to the calamity, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed profound sorrow and committed to providing full support from the central government to assist Gujarat’s administration. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also conveyed her condolences, characterizing the incident as “profoundly tragic.”
As rescue and relief efforts continue, hospitals in Ahmedabad have been put on high alert to accommodate potential casualties. Further developments, including confirmed casualty figures and investigative outcomes, are anticipated in the hours to come.
