Air India Boeing 787 Crashes During Takeoff

This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.

An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner is reported to have crashed upon departure from Ahmedabad. The widebody twinjet was operating a scheduled service to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), with flight tracking data suggesting that it transmitted its last signal at an altitude of around 625 feet.

IATA/ICAO Code

AI/AIC

Year Founded

1946

CEO

Campbell Wilson

Footage circulating from the scene depicts a huge cloud of black smoke near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD), from which Air India operates five flights a week to London Gatwick Airport. Air India has confirmed the incident, with many anxiously awaiting further details from the national flag carrier.

Air India Flight 171 Has Crashed In Ahmedabad

Image: Flightradar24

Earlier today, Air India flight 171 crashed upon its takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. Bound for London Gatwick, there are varying reports concerning the number of people onboard, ranging from 133 to 242. Air India has issued a short statement confirming the incident, explaining that:

“Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on and on our X handle (

READ MORE: Breaking: Air India Boeing 787 Crashes During Takeoff

As noted in the above coverage by Flightradar24, tracking data pertaining to the flight suggests that it reached a maximum altitude of around 625 feet before crashing outside the airport perimeter, with reports suggesting that the 787 came down in a residential area. While aircraft from the 787 family have been involved in several minor incidents, this represents the Dreamliner’s first major crash.

Further Details Are Beginning To Emerge

Photo: Soos Jozsef | Shutterstock

London Gatwick Airport, the planned destination of Air India flight 171, has also issued a short statement, confirming that “AI171, that crashed on departure from Ahmedabad Airport today, was due to land at London Gatwick at 18:25.”

The aircraft in question, a Boeing 787-8 registered as VT-ANB, was due to operate a flight back to Goa this evening, with this service having subsequently been canceled. According to ch-aviation, VT-ANB is one of 27 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners in Air India’s fleet. It is 11.5 years old, and has 259 seats onboard in a two-class configuration. Footage of the aircraft’s moment of impact has surfaced online, with the plane gradually losing altitude before exploding in a ball of fire and smoke.

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Reporting from the BBC has since confirmed that, according to Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the Chief of India’s Directorate of Civil Aviation, there were 232 passengers and 12 crew members onboard, representing the higher end of the initially stated range. Air India’s Chair, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, issued the following statement:

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families. We are doing everything in our power to assist the emergency response teams at the site and to provide all necessary support and care to those impacted.”

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