Air India Flight 171
Air India Flight 171, a planned passenger flight from Ahmedabad Airport in India to London Gatwick Airport in the United Kingdom, crashed 32 seconds after takeoff on June 12, 2025, at 13:39 IST (08:09 UTC). All but one of the 230 passengers and 12 crew members died. On the ground, 19 individuals were killed, while 67 were critically injured.
Table of Contents
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operated by Air India crashed into the hostel complex of B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, 1.7 kilometers (1 mile; 0.9 nautical miles) from the runway. The aircraft was destroyed, and the accident and following fire caused major damage to multiple college buildings. This was the first fatal accident and hull damage involving a 787 since the type went into service in 2011.
According to a preliminary report released on July 8, 2025, by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), the aircraft’s two enhanced airborne flight recorders revealed that the crash was caused by both engines losing thrust after their fuel control switches switched from RUN to CUTOFF a few seconds after liftoff. No explanation for the switch movement was provided. The crash is still under investigation.
Background
Aircraft and Route
The disaster included a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registration VT-ANB, which had 41,868 hours on the airframe…
(continues with all details about manufacturing, engines, delivery to Air India, and flight route)
Passengers and Crew
Flight 171 carried 230 passengers and 12 staff members, including 13 children…
(details about nationalities, captain Sumeet Sabharwal, first officer Clive Kunder, and roles)
Fuel Control Switches
Explanation of the throttle control module, switches, stop-lock mechanism, and their purpose…
Accident
Details of takeoff, weather, ADS-B readings, impact sequence, CCTV evidence, enthusiast video…
Rescue and Relief Operation
Firefighting response, brigade call, 300+ firefighters, 60 fire vehicles, ambulances, army, BSF, CRPF, NDRF, municipal corporation response, road closures, hospital readiness…
Casualties
All but one of 242 onboard perished; 19 killed, 67 injured on ground. Identification difficulties due to fire. Survivor: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seat 11A, walked away with minor injuries.
Investigation
AAIB inquiry, NTSB, FAA, UK AAIB participation, retrieval of flight recorders, maintenance checks, preliminary findings about fuel switches, cockpit recordings…
Preliminary Report
Timeline of takeoff, switches moving to CUTOFF, mayday call, RAT deployment, attempts at engine restart, final crash at 13:39:11, FAA bulletin reference, no mechanical flaws found…
Responses
Reactions from Indian PM, UK PM, King Charles III, Air India chairman & CEO, simulator tests, Boeing and GE statements, pilot associations’ comments, AAIB caution against speculation…
Aftermath
Compensation by Tata Group, Montreal Convention requirements, reconstruction of college buildings, relocation of residents, cancellation of AI171/172 flight numbers, grounding of 83 flights, reinstatement plan, new routes announced…
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