In a devastating incident earlier today, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner twin jet bound for London crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Operating as Flight AI171, the aircraft carried 242 onboard, 230 passengers (169 Indian, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian) and 12 crew members, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
A Routine Departure Turns Tragic
The flight, scheduled on the Ahmedabad to London route, departed around 1:38 PM IST. Within a minute of takeoff and at an altitude of approximately 625 feet, the aircraft abruptly lost contact with air traffic control. Witnesses reported a loud explosion and thick black smoke rising from the Meghani Nagar area, where the plane ultimately went down, just a few kilometers from the airport.
Immediate Response on Ground
Local authorities, fire departments, NDRF teams, and airport emergency crews were rushed to the scene. The roads leading to the crash site were sealed off, and a full-scale rescue operation was initiated. Multiple injured passengers have been transported to nearby hospitals, though official casualty numbers have yet to be confirmed.
Former CM Vijay Rupani Among Passengers
According to preliminary passenger manifests and media reports, Vijay Rupani, former Chief Minister of Gujarat, was onboard the Air India flight that crashed in Ahmedabad. His name appears listed in the business class section. As of now, his condition remains unknown, and no formal statement has been released by his office or family.
What Went Wrong?
Sources suggest that the pilot issued a Mayday call seconds before radar contact was lost. Aviation experts and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are currently investigating the exact cause of this Air India flight crash, which is being called the first major crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in commercial service.
Impact and Aftermath
This Air India crash has triggered widespread concern over safety protocols and aircraft maintenance. The Ahmedabad airport temporarily suspended operations, and all outbound flights were delayed or redirected. A helpdesk has been set up for families of those onboard, and Air India has activated its emergency response centre to assist with coordination and support.
A National-Level Investigation Underway
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Home Minister Amit Shah have both expressed shock over the plane crash in Ahmedabad, ensuring a detailed inquiry will be conducted. Air India Chairman N. Chandrasekaran expressed his condolences and confirmed an emergency centre is active to support passengers’ families and streamline assistance.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief and shock over the tragic Air India plane crash today. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he acknowledged initial reports suggesting that the aircraft carried more than 200 people. He extended his heartfelt prayers for the safety and recovery of all passengers and crew onboard.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the Central Government to ensure urgent and effective relief operations to aid those affected and their families in this hour of crisis.
The DGCA and AAIB have launched formal investigations; recovery teams are searching for the black box recorders to determine whether the cause was technical failure, pilot error, or another factor, especially as the aircraft was fully fuelling for its long-haul journey.
Support & Helplines
To assist affected individuals and relatives seeking information, the following helpline numbers have been activated:
- Air India Passenger Hotline: 1800‑5691‑444
- Ahmedabad City Police Emergency: 079‑25620359
- National Emergency (India): 108 for medical/fire, 100 for police
International family members can also contact Air India’s global helpline: +91‑116‑932‑9333 (toll-free)