What Happened Aboard Air India Ahmedabad Flight 171?

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. The flight, AI171, bound for London Gatwick, was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members when it went down shortly after takeoff, creating a scene of thick black smoke in the Meghaninagar area.

While the exact cause of the crash remains unknown and is under active investigation, a crucial detail has emerged from the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to their statement, the co-pilot of the aircraft issued a “MAYDAY Call” to Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments before the crash. This urgent distress signal is used by pilots to indicate a life-threatening emergency. Tragically, after this call, there was no further response from the aircraft.

The DGCA confirmed that Flight AI171 departed from Ahmedabad’s Runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST. Immediately after leaving the runway, the aircraft “fell on ground outside the airport perimeter,” with heavy black smoke witnessed rising from the accident site.

The flight was commanded by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with 8200 hours of flight time, alongside First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1100 hours of experience.

Emergency services, including seven fire engines, rushed to the scene as soon as the crash was reported. Air India acknowledged the incident via a statement on X, confirming that Flight AI171 “was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025,” and that they were “ascertaining the details” to provide further updates.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 identified the aircraft as having registration VT-ANB, which had completed a flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad earlier in the day. Reports also indicate that former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was believed to be on board the ill-fated flight.

Investigators will now focus on the aircraft’s maintenance records, flight data recorders (black boxes), cockpit voice recorders, and witness testimonies to determine what led to the sudden emergency indicated by the Mayday call and the subsequent catastrophic crash.