Air India Boeing 787 crashes near Ahmedabad airport with 242 on board, its first fatal Dreamliner accident

🚨Tragic news: An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying from Ahmedabad to London crashed near the airport this morning.

242 passengers were on board.

It marks the first fatal crash involving this Boeing $BA aircraft model. pic.twitter.com/8GRLFVMIgM

— Jesse Cohen (@JesseCohenInv) June 12, 2025

A devastating scene unfolded in Ahmedabad this morning. Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff, sending shockwaves through the aviation world. The aircraft, carrying 242 people, went down near the airport perimeter, igniting a fire and prompting an immediate emergency response.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, once hailed for its efficiency and advanced technology, had never been involved in a fatal crash until today. That streak is now broken, and the industry will be forced to reckon with the implications. The aircraft, registered VT-ANB, was delivered to Air India in 2014 and had been a staple of the airline’s long-haul operations.

Eyewitnesses described thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage, with emergency crews rushing to contain the blaze. The sheer scale of the disaster is hard to process. Reports indicate that the flight crew issued a distress call moments before impact, but the exact cause remains unknown. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation, and Air India is providing updates through official channels.

🚨🇮🇳 AIR INDIA CRASH: WHAT WENT WRONG BEFORE IMPACT?

Flight AI-171 took off from Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM IST and climbed to just 625 feet before pilots issued a Mayday call – then all contact with ATC was lost.

Seconds later, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into the Meghani… https://t.co/6Q7A3WmAPY pic.twitter.com/GMvlRTLcG0

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 12, 2025

The passenger manifest includes a mix of nationalities: 169 Indian citizens, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese travelers, and one Canadian. Each name on that list represents a life disrupted, a family waiting for answers. The number of casualties remains unconfirmed, but early reports suggest significant loss of life.

The Dreamliner series was designed for comfort and efficiency, boasting composite materials that reduce weight and improve fuel economy. Yet none of that matters in the face of tragedy. The crash raises urgent questions about aircraft safety, pilot training, and operational protocols. Was this mechanical failure? Human error? A combination of factors? Investigators will be working tirelessly to uncover the truth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to prioritize rescue efforts, while aviation experts analyze flight data for clues. The world is watching, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. This incident marks a grim milestone for Boeing’s 787 program, an aircraft that has been scrutinized for manufacturing shortcuts and structural concerns.

For now, families wait. Officials search for answers. And the aviation industry braces for the fallout.