Tragedy struck India on Thursday afternoon after Air India Flight AI-171, flying from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after take-off. The aircraft, which had 242 passengers onboard, feared to have crashed into the undergraduate hostel mess of BJ Medical College (BJMC) in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad.
The crash occurred just minutes after the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off around 1:38 PM, according to the DGCA. Initial visuals from the scene show wreckage embedded in the college hostel structure, with parts of the aircraft lodged in the mess area.
The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) confirmed that 20–30 MBBS students were likely present in the mess at the time of the crash.
FAIMA released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), "We are deeply shocked about the AI plane crash in Ahmedabad. The news has become more tragic after learning that the aircraft crashed into the BJMC hostel, and many MBBS students have also been injured. We are monitoring the situation closely and are ready to assist in any way."
Air India also issued a statement in which it said, "Air India confirms that flight AI171, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, was involved in an accident today after take-off. The flight, which departed from Ahmedabad at 1338 hrs, was carrying 242 passengers and crew members on board the Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Of these, 169 are Indian nationals, 53 are British nationals, 1 Canadian national and 7 Portuguese nationals. The injured are being taken to the nearest hospitals. We have also set up a dedicated passenger hotline number 1800 5691 444 to provide more information. Air India is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident."
DGCA launched investigation into the Air India Plane Crash
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that a detailed investigation is underway into the crash of Air India flight AI-171, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad this afternoon. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, registered VT-ANB and operating a scheduled service to London's Gatwick, crashed just outside the airport perimeter minutes after departure.
"There is no confirmed cause of the crash at this stage. A detailed inquiry has been initiated," said a DGCA spokesperson, adding that all relevant agencies are being involved in the probe.
The aircraft took off at 13.39 IST from Runway 23 at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. According to officials, a Mayday call was issued moments after liftoff, but no further communication was received from the cockpit. The flight was being operated by Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, a long-time Air India pilot with over 8,200 flying hours, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who had logged 1,100 hours.
According to information, the DGCA officials are on site collecting flight data, voice recordings, and witness accounts as part of the investigation. Sources said that Boeing representatives and officials are also expected to assist the ground staff.
This is one of the most serious aviation incidents in India in recent years involving a wide-body aircraft. Authorities have not yet released information about casualties or survivors.