Lagatar24 Desk
Ahmedabad: In a tragic turn, Air India’s Ahmedabad-London flight AI171 crashed this afternoon, marking the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner since its global debut in 2011. The aircraft, which took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport around 2 pm, crashed within minutes into a residential area. The pilots had issued a “Mayday” distress call shortly before the crash but reportedly received no response from air traffic control. The crash site soon erupted in flames, with thick black smoke visible from several miles across the city.
Dreamliner’s decade-long spotless record broken
Before this incident, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner had maintained an impeccable safety record for over a decade, with nearly 1,000 aircraft delivered worldwide since its introduction. Promoted as the best-selling wide-body passenger aircraft of all time by Boeing, the Dreamliner had carried over one billion passengers globally, boasting advanced technology that allowed up to 25% lower fuel consumption and a maximum range of 13,530 kilometers, making it a favorite for long-haul intercontinental routes. The 787-8 typically carries up to 248 passengers.
Air India’s extensive Dreamliner fleet
The crashed aircraft was one of Air India’s 27 Boeing 787-8s. In its wide-body fleet, Air India also operates 6 Airbus A350s, 19 Boeing 777-300 ERs, 5 Boeing 777-200 LRs, and 7 Boeing 787-9s. Its narrow-body fleet includes 6 A319s, 94 A320 neos, 4 A320 ceos, 13 A321 ceos, and 10 A321 neos.
Passengers onboard and nationalities involved
Flight AI171 was headed for London’s Gatwick Airport, carrying 242 individuals. Among them were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. Additionally, 2 pilots and 10 crew members were part of the doomed flight. The accident has prompted immediate responses from the highest levels of government.
Government response and investigation underway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already spoken to Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu for immediate updates and relief coordination. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigades, and multiple emergency teams rushed to the crash site for rescue and recovery efforts. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a formal investigation, with officials from the Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) also dispatched to Ahmedabad for a comprehensive probe.
