Ahmedabad Plane Crash: A Day in Aviation History
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: A Day in Aviation History
Introduction
posted on ; june 14
On the 12th of June, 2025, Ahmedabad experienced one of the deadliest air accidents in recent history. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to London Gatwick Airport, had a crash minutes after taking off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The accident claimed the lives of 241 passengers and crew members on board and 24 people on ground, making it India's worst air accident in almost thirty years.
The Incident
The plane departed at 1:38 PM IST and crashed around 30 seconds later into a hostel building of B.J. Medical College in the Meghani Nagar locality of Ahmedabad. The impact left extensive destruction, with parts of the aircraft stuck in the five-story hostel building and some vehicles on fire. Witnesses heard a series of explosions and thick billows of smoke emanating from the crash site .
The Sole Survivor
Among the 242 people on board, only one passenger survived the crash. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, managed to escape through an emergency exit amidst the chaos. He sustained injuries and was hospitalized in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. Tragically, his brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh, who was traveling with him, is presumed dead .
Casualties and Impact
The crash claimed 241 lives on board, comprising 230 passengers and 12 crew members. A total of 24 people died on the ground, and more than 60 were injured. The effect on the community at large and the medical fraternity in particular has been immense. Quite a number of junior doctors and students in the medical school happened to be staying in the hostel at the time of the crash, and there was huge loss among the health fraternity.
Investigation and Early Findings
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India are carrying out extensive investigations into the reasons behind the crash. Initial reports indicate failure to generate enough lift during takeoff. Experts have speculated that an error in the cockpit, for instance, retracting the flaps rather than the landing gear, can be the reason behind the loss of control.
Government and Corporate Response
Following the disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a visit to the accident site and saw injured survivors at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital. He offered condolences and promised ongoing government support. The Tata Group, which operates Air India, offered compensation of ₹1 crore to the kin of those killed and committed to paying all medical bills for the injured.
Conclusion
Ahmedabad plane crash is a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities of air travel. While investigations are ongoing, the issue at hand is to ascertain the reason for the crash in order to prevent future accidents. The strength of the survivors and community support provide a glimmer of hope in the midst of tragedy.
Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India Flight AI171, Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, aviation disaster, sole survivor, BJ Medical College hostel, DGCA investigation, Tata Group response, aviation safety, Meghani Nagar crash.
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