Everything We Know About the Air India Flight 171 Crash: The Pilot’s Final Words, the Lone Survivor’s Story, and What Happened That Day

1. What Happened on the Day of the Plane Crash?

An Air India flight bound for London tragically crashed on Thursday, June 12, just minutes after taking off from the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad. While authorities continue to confirm the details, grieving families are left to mourn the loss of their loved ones.

The incident involved flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, which was carrying 244 people—232 passengers and 12 crew members—according to officials. Of the 232 passengers, 169 were Indian nationals, 53 were British, while one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals were also among those traveling.

A further breakdown reveals that the passengers included 217 adults, 11 children, and two infants. The total number of fatalities has yet to be confirmed.

“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 http://airindia.com and on our X handle (https://x.com/airindia),” a spokesperson for Air India confirmed on X.

The aircraft had departed at 1:38 p.m. local time. It was scheduled to land at London’s Gatwick Airport at 6:25 p.m. According to data from Flight Radar, it lost signal just seconds after takeoff, having reached an altitude of 625 feet.

Before communication with the aircraft was severed, the aircraft issued a mayday alert to air traffic control. No further communication followed after the distress call.

The plane went down in a residential area called Meghani Nagar, crashing into a medical college hostel, only five minutes into the flight. The densely populated neighborhood lies near the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, a city of over 5 million residents.

Visuals aired on local news channels showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the crash site as emergency crews rushed to the scene.

Weather conditions were reported to be calm and clear at the time of the crash, according to flight safety expert Marco Chan. Aviation forecasts indicated light surface winds and visibility of around six kilometers, with no severe weather, storms, or wind shear present that could have impacted the flight.

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the director general of the directorate of civil aviation, confirmed the location of the crash and the number of people on board.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, shared that emergency response teams had been dispatched to the scene, with efforts underway to provide immediate medical assistance and necessary relief to those affected.

“We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,” he noted. “My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.”

Operations at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been suspended, with the airport remaining closed until further notice.

Meanwhile, local politician Darshna Vaghela told reporters that several doctors’ flats in the area were damaged in the crash. He said he was nearby at the time and helped rescue many of the residents from their homes.

According to local media reports, the aircraft came down on the dining hall of the government-run B.J. Medical College hostel, reportedly claiming the lives of several medical students.

Footage aired showed part of the plane lodged on top of the building. “We are still verifying the number of dead, including those killed in the building where the plane crashed,” Vidhi Chaudhary, a top state police officer said.

A parent, Ramila, shared that her son had just entered the hostel for a lunch break when the plane crashed. He jumped from the second floor and was injured, but is now safe.

Anxious relatives gathered outside hospitals in Ahmedabad awaiting news of loved ones have also spoken out. Among them was Poonam Patel who said his sister-in-law had been on the London-bound flight. “Within an hour, I got the news that the plane had crashed. So I came here,” he said.

Records show the crashed aircraft frequently operates routes between India and cities such as Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Amsterdam, and Melbourne. This marks the first-ever crash involving a Boeing 787-8, a significant moment for the aircraft that has maintained a strong safety record since its launch 14 years ago.

Known as the Dreamliner, the model recently celebrated a major milestone, having transported a billion passengers across nearly five million flights. The global fleet of more than 1,175 Dreamliners has accumulated over 30 million flight hours.

The incident is a serious setback for Boeing, which has already been under pressure due to ongoing issues with its 737 aircraft line. It also presents a fresh challenge for CEO Kelly Ortberg, who is nearing his one-year mark at the helm and was appointed to help steer the company through mounting concerns about its operations and reliability.

2. Who Was the One Passenger Walking Out of the Wreckage Alive?

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national, who occupied seat 11A, survived the collision and was later observed leaving the scene on foot.

At the Civil Hospital in Asarwa, 40-year-old Vishwash, who has lived in London for 20 years and has a wife and child there, described what happened in the moments after the aircraft lifted off.

“Thirty seconds after take-off, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly,” he told Hindustan Times. The outlet also posted Vishwash’s boarding pass on their website.

He had been in India for a short visit and was returning to the United Kingdom with his 45-year-old brother, Ajay Kumar Ramesh. The two were seated in different rows on the flight. Vishwash said, “We visited Diu. He was travelling with me and I can’t find him anymore. Please help me find him.”

Meanwhile, Vishwash reportedly sustained “impact injuries” to his chest, eyes, and feet. After regaining consciousness, he said he stood up, afraid after seeing the surrounding disaster, and ran through debris until someone helped him into an ambulance.

A video shared by India Today NE allegedly shows Vishwash walking away from the wreckage toward an ambulance. He was slightly limping and talking to the people around him as someone guided him. Additionally, the clip captured voices in the background, including cries from others at the scene.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, several other families were also searching for missing relatives. One of those was Sailesh Mandliya, a former aide to Gujarat’s ex-Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. The politician’s whereabouts remained uncertain as of this writing, and Mandliya asked to be informed if any information surfaced.

3. How Did the Pilot Attempt to Save the Aircraft from Crashing?

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew members, was en route to London Gatwick when it suddenly encountered trouble./By Naomi Wanjala

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