An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on June 12, 2025, with 242 passengers and crew on board.

# Accident Details

On Thursday afternoon, Air India flight AI171, operating a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed near Ahmedabad airport approximately two minutes after takeoff at 1:30 PM local time. The aircraft impacted an area in the Meghani area, with early visuals showing significant black smoke and fire at the crash site.

# Immediate Response

Emergency services, including at least seven fire tenders and multiple ambulances, were dispatched to the scene. Injured passengers are being transported to local hospitals. Authorities have not yet released official information regarding casualties, but local reports suggest multiple fatalities are feared.

# Unconfirmed Reports

Initial reports, which are still unconfirmed, suggested that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was on board the flight.

# Context

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a modern wide-body aircraft known for its fuel efficiency and advanced technology. Air India has been operating the 787-8 variant for several years on long-haul routes. Any crash involving a relatively new aircraft type like the Dreamliner will undergo intense scrutiny to determine the cause.

# Investigation and Future Implications

An official investigation will be launched to determine the cause of the crash. Factors such as mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, and potential sabotage will be examined. The findings will likely have implications for Air India's operational procedures, Boeing’s manufacturing processes, and potentially broader airline safety regulations.