Air India Crash Shock: 241 Dead, Sole Survivor’s Tale

Today, June 12, 2025, an Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, has left the world reeling. Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport, killing 241 people, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. One Air India survivor, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, miraculously walked away from the wreckage. The India plane crash has sent Boeing stock plummeting and raised questions about the 787 Dreamliner’s safety. This plane crash in India today marks the first fatal incident for the Boeing 787, as reported by Times of India and NDTV. India news outlets are buzzing with grief and demands for answers.

A Catastrophic Takeoff: What Happened?

At 1:39 p.m. local time, Air India flight AI171, bound for London’s Gatwick Airport, roared down the runway at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, India. The Boeing 787-8, registered as VT-ANB, lifted off normally, according to CCTV footage aired by NDTV. But within 30 seconds, disaster struck. Witnesses reported a loud noise, and the airplane failed to climb, skimming low over the city before crashing into the Meghani Nagar residential area near BJ Medical College. A massive fireball erupted, intensified by the plane’s heavy fuel load.

The Ahmedabad plane crash killed 230 passengers and 11 crew members on board, alongside at least five students in a medical school dining hall hit by the wreckage, as confirmed by the school’s dean to The New York Times. By evening, Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital reported 265 bodies recovered, though DNA testing is ongoing to confirm the exact toll. The plane crash in Ahmedabad is one of India’s worst aviation tragedies, drawing comparisons to past Indian air crashes like the 2020 Kozhikode incident.

The Sole Survivor: A Miracle Amid Tragedy

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin seated in 11A, is the one survivor Air India crash. Found amidst the wreckage, he was rushed to a hospital. Ramesh told NDTV, “I heard a loud noise 30 seconds into the flight, then everything went black.” His brother, Ajay Kumar Rakesh, seated elsewhere, did not survive. Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed Ramesh’s survival, calling it “a miracle.” Social media posts on X hailed his survival as “incredible,” with @alifarhat79 writing, “Sole survivor of Air India crash walks away from wreckage.”

The India plane crash survivor’s story has gripped the nation, with Hindustan Times reporting candlelight vigils in Ahmedabad for the victims. The Air India crash survivor’s account may provide critical clues as investigators hunt for the cause of the 787 crash.

Who Was On Board?

The Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad carried a diverse group: 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian, per BBC News. Among the victims was Vijay Rupani, Gujarat’s former Chief Minister, whose death prompted tributes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. The Indian Express reported that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, with 8,200 hours of experience, piloted the Boeing Dreamliner. A Gloucester family—Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee, and their daughter—were also among the deceased, mourned by the Gloucester Muslim Society.

The london-bound plane crash has left families in both India and the UK devastated. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the news “absolutely devastating,” while King Charles III offered “deepest sympathies.” Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, expressed condolences and deployed caregivers to support grieving families.

Boeing Under Fire: The 787 Dreamliner’s First Fall

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, introduced in 2011, was celebrated for its fuel efficiency and safety, with over 1,000 delivered globally, per Flightradar24. This 787 Dreamliner crash marks its first fatal incident, shattering its “impeccable” record, as noted by Sky News. Boeing stock price (BA stock) plummeted 5-8% in premarket trading, reflecting investor fears, according to Reuters. The crash has reignited scrutiny of Boeing, already facing safety concerns after a 2024 whistleblower claimed improper fastening in 787 sections, as reported by The New York Times.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg issued a statement: “Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of those on Air India Flight AI171. We stand ready to support India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.” The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is assisting, focusing on the black box data recorders to uncover why the Boeing 787 crash occurred.

What Caused the Crash? Early Theories

The cause of the Air India plane crash Ahmedabad remains unconfirmed, with investigations just beginning. Aviation experts, cited by Sky News, noted the plane’s “unusual configuration” in crash footage, with a high nose angle and landing gear deployed, suggesting a possible power loss during takeoff, the “most critical phase of flight.” The New York Times reported that the plane descended over buildings with its nose up, an abnormal position, per expert John Cox.

Weather may have played a role, with temperatures in Ahmedabad, India, exceeding 100°F, potentially affecting engine performance. Some speculate the hot brakes on the 787-8 may have prompted pilots to delay retracting the landing gear, creating drag, though this is unverified. The mayday call meaning—an emergency distress signal—was not reported in initial accounts, suggesting the crew had little time to react.

India plane crash video shared on X showed the dreamliner 787 skimming low before erupting into flames, prompting widespread horror. @Reuters posted, “Air India plane bound for London crashes in Ahmedabad,” amplifying global attention. The flight crash today has grounded Air India flights at Ahmedabad airport, per The Hindu.

What It Means Now: Global Impact

The plane crash in India today has far-reaching consequences. In Gujarat, mourning has begun, with schools closed and flags at half-mast. The Ahmedabad crash has disrupted India air travel, with Indigo and other carriers rerouting flights. Air India stock, tied to the Tata Group, faces pressure as the airline grapples with its safety image, already scarred by past crashes like the 1985 Kanishka bombing, per Firstpost.

Globally, the Boeing plane crash has intensified scrutiny on aviation safety. The 787 crash India could lead to regulatory reviews of the Boeing 787-9 and 787-8 Dreamliner models. Boeing news dominates headlines, with analysts warning of long-term damage to the company’s reputation. The flight crash has also strained India-UK ties, with both nations coordinating victim identification.

For families, the air crash India is a personal tragedy. Air India news reports a helpline for relatives, while India news today outlets like The Guardian cover the human toll. The plane crash survivor’s story offers a glimmer of hope amid the grief.

The Investigation: What’s Next?

India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, aided by Boeing and the NTSB, is leading the probe into the AI171 crash. The black box, including the cockpit voice recorder, is a priority, as it could reveal whether mechanical failure, human error, or external factors caused the 787 Dreamliner crash. The Guardian noted the crash’s “relatively low-impact” nature may preserve critical evidence.

AI171 flight status was normal until the crash, per Flightradar24, ruling out mid-flight issues. Investigators will examine maintenance records for the 11-year-old Air India 787, delivered in 2014. Airindia has pledged full cooperation, but public trust is shaken. Breaking news updates are expected as the probe unfolds.

A History of Resilience and Tragedy

The Air India 787 crash adds to the airline’s troubled history. Airindia flight crashes, from the 2010 Mangaluru disaster to the 2020 Kozhikode runway overrun, have claimed hundreds of lives. Yet, Air India has modernized its fleet, with the Boeing Dreamliner as a flagship. The dreamliner crash now casts a shadow over its recovery, per Reuters.

Ahmedabad news reflects a city in mourning but resilient. The crash in India has united communities in grief, with latest news showing locals aiding rescue efforts. The Indian plane crash today will test Air India ahmedabad’s operations and the nation’s aviation sector.

Stay Informed, Stay Safe

The Air India plane crash is a stark reminder of aviation’s risks. As news India and global outlets report, the world awaits answers. Follow Ongoing Now 24 for breaking news 2025 on this tragedy and other world conflicts or natural disaster updates. Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24.