AHMEDABAD, INDIA — A commercial airliner operated by Air India crashed near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport shortly after departure on Thursday morning, triggering a massive emergency response. Flight AI171, en route to London's Gatwick Airport, went down under circumstances still being investigated, according to aviation authorities.
Local media reports indicate the aircraft encountered difficulties moments after becoming airborne. Witnesses described the plane struggling to gain altitude before plummeting in an area approximately 5 kilometers from the runway. Thick plumes of smoke were visible across Ahmedabad's western suburbs following the impact.
Air India issued a preliminary statement acknowledging the aircraft was "involved in an incident" but provided no immediate details regarding casualties or possible causes. "Our emergency response protocol has been activated, and all relevant agencies are coordinating rescue efforts," the airline confirmed. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner typically accommodates 256 passengers on this route, though the exact manifest remains unverified.
Rescue teams mobilize at the crash site (Representative Image)
Ahmedabad's disaster management forces, including over 30 fire tenders and specialized rescue units, rushed to the scene within minutes. Local hospitals were placed on high alert, with ambulances forming triage corridors near the airport perimeter. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel confirmed state resources were being deployed "at war footing" to assist survivors.
The incident has paralyzed air traffic across western India, with all departures and arrivals suspended at Ahmedabad airport—a critical hub serving over 11 million passengers annually. Stranded travelers crowded terminal information desks as aviation authorities diverted flights to alternate airports in Mumbai and Jaipur.
Aviation safety analysts highlight the inherent risks during takeoff phases, when aircraft operate at maximum weight with full fuel loads. "The first three minutes after departure are statistically the most vulnerable," explained former DGCA investigator Captain Rakesh Sharma. "Critical system failures or aerodynamic issues can prove catastrophic at low altitudes."
This marks Air India's most severe incident since the 2010 Mangalore runway disaster that claimed 158 lives. The national carrier completed a major fleet modernization program in 2023, retiring older aircraft in favor of fuel-efficient models like the 787 involved in today's accident.
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has dispatched an investigative team to Ahmedabad, while international aviation bodies including the UK's Air Accidents Investigation Branch signaled readiness to assist. Preliminary findings suggest weather conditions were favorable, with light winds and clear visibility recorded at the time of departure.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound distress over the incident, tweeting: "My heart goes out to affected families. We are monitoring developments closely and extending all possible support." Air India has established emergency contacts (+91-11-24629999) for concerned relatives worldwide.
As dusk fell over Ahmedabad, rescue workers continued searching the wreckage under floodlights. The disaster has reignited conversations about aviation safety protocols in India's rapidly expanding air travel market, which ranks third globally in domestic passenger volume.
This developing story will be updated as official information becomes available.
