Ahmedabad, June 12 — In what is being described as one of the most horrifying air disasters in recent Indian aviation history, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner en route to London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, plowing into a doctors’ hostel near Patel Medical College. The aircraft, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, went down within minutes of departure, sparking a massive rescue operation and national mourning.
✈️ The Flight That Never Took Off
Flight AI-171 took off around 3:45 PM local time from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Within moments, the pilot reported engine irregularities. Eyewitnesses described the sound as a “deep, gut-wrenching shudder” before the plane dipped and veered off its path, crashing into a four-story hostel housing junior doctors.
“We heard a loud boom,” said Pratik Mehta, a local resident. “There was smoke everywhere. The hostel walls caved in like paper. People were screaming from inside.”
🚑 Casualties and Rescue Efforts
At least 15 doctors inside the hostel were critically injured, with many others trapped under debris. While official confirmation on passenger fatalities is still pending, emergency responders say “the situation looks grim,” with several charred bodies recovered from the crash site.
The nationalities onboard included 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian, according to early manifests shared with the media.
🧑✈️ Cockpit Crew & Aircraft Profile
The aircraft was piloted by Captain Subhrawal, a seasoned aviator with over 8,200 flight hours, alongside First Officer Clive Kundra, who had logged just over 1,100 hours. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the crash was 7 years old and had reportedly been serviced just two weeks prior.
Sources inside Air India confirmed that the aircraft had reported minor engine anomalies in a routine check last week but was cleared for international flights after inspection.
🏛️ Government Reacts
Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi both expressed deep sorrow and pledged full-scale investigations. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel rushed to the site, calling it a “tragedy that shakes the core of our state.”
Airports Authority of India has grounded all outbound and inbound flights at Ahmedabad until further notice.
In a press briefing, India’s Civil Aviation Minister said, “This is a national tragedy. Our prayers are with the families. A full inquiry has already been launched.”
🔍 What Happens Next?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has begun a formal probe, with black box recovery already underway. Meanwhile, questions are mounting over aircraft maintenance standards and crew protocols, especially as this comes just months after another Air India scare in Mumbai involving hydraulic failure.
Air India has activated emergency support centers for victims’ families and issued a brief statement: “We are working closely with authorities and prioritizing the wellbeing of all those affected.”
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This story is still developing. More details are expected as investigations continue and rescue teams comb through the debris.
