India Plane Crash: Air India Flight AI171 Crashes 30 Seconds After Take-Off, 241 Dead

Ahmedabad, India – A major India plane crash occurred on Thursday afternoon when Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, crashed just 30 seconds after take-off, killing 241 people onboard and injuring several on the ground. The flight was en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick.

This is the first fatal Air India plane crash involving a Dreamliner, making global headlines and triggering a multi-nation investigation.

What We Know About the Air India Plane Crash?

• Flight AI171 took off at 13:39 IST from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
• Mayday call issued moments after take-off.
• Plane reached only 625 ft altitude before plunging into a densely populated area.
• One survivor reported hearing a “loud bang” as the plane struggled to climb.
• The plane was carrying 242 people and 100 tonnes of fuel.

Crash Site Details

• Location: Residential area, 1.5 km from Ahmedabad runway.
• Heavy damage to homes, hospitals, and buildings.
• Explosive impact captured in CCTV and mobile footage.

What Could Have Caused the Crash?

Experts Suspect:

• Rare double engine failure
• Fuel contamination or blockage
• Loss of thrust and power after take-off
• Possible failure of emergency Ram Air Turbine (RAT)

A double engine failure is considered extremely rare in commercial aviation, but investigators haven’t ruled it out yet.

Investigation Underway

• Indian aviation regulators are working with UK and US investigators.
• GE Aerospace and Boeing are sending technical teams.
• Recovery of black box and flight data recorder is top priority.

Pilots Involved

• Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar
• Over 9,000 combined flying hours
• Both were highly experienced with 787 Dreamliners

Conclusion

The Air India plane crash of Flight AI171 is a heartbreaking tragedy that has claimed 241 lives. As investigations begin, the focus remains on uncovering the cause and ensuring such a disaster never happens again. Among the devastation, one survivor has emerged — Vishwashkumar Ramesh, whose account may be crucial in understanding the final moments of the flight. The nation mourns, and the world awaits answers.