crashed Boeing 787 Dreamliner air craft.
Catastrophic Takeoff: Boeing 787 Dreamliner Crashes Into Medical College Hostel
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight 171—a Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner—crashed just seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, en route to London Gatwick. The aircraft collided with a doctors’ hostel at B.J. Medical College during lunchtime . Among the 242 people onboard (230 passengers, 12 crew), only one survived: Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40‑year‑old British‑Indian seated at emergency exit row 11A.
British man survives Air India crash; 294 dead
Survivor’s Courage: Jumped from Emergency Exit Amid Chaos
Ahmedabad police report that Ramesh “leapt from the emergency exit,” narrowly escaping before the aircraft looped into the building. Footage shows him limping away as medics rendered aid. In his own words:
“When I got up, there were bodies all around me. … I stood up and ran.”
Authorities confirm Ramesh as the only known survivor, though rescue efforts and hospital admissions continue to be assessed.
At Least 241 Fatalities: Devastating Impact Onboard and on the Ground
Preliminary tallies indicate:
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241 fatalities onboard
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At least 28 people killed on the ground, including medical students
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Recovery efforts in the Meghani Nagar district confirm over 240 bodies retrieved; some victims remain unidentified
Police have requested DNA samples from families to assist in the identification process.
A view shows the rear of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane following its crash, in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025
Possible Causes: Stall, Landing Gear Issues, or Multi-Engine Failure
Experts and investigators are considering multiple scenarios:
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Stall or thrust failure upon climb: Aircraft climbed to about 625 ft at 200 mph—irregular and potentially unstable.
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Landing gear still deployed: Videos suggest the gear remained down, significantly impeding lift.
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Bird strikes or engine failure: Multiple bird collisions during takeoff could have critically damaged both engines.
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Mechanical misconfiguration: Incorrect flap settings, overweight loading or technical fault also remain under scrutiny en.wikipedia.org+3the-sun.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3.
Emergency Response & Ongoing Investigations
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Mayday call within 30 seconds of takeoff, then silence.
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70 fire units dispatched to contain the blaze.
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Ahmedabad Airport operations temporarily halted, later reopened with restrictions .
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A high-level investigation led by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is underway, supported by Boeing, GE Aerospace, and the NTSB.
Emergency personnel and other people gather near damaged property, at the site where an Air India plane crashed, in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025.
Broader Repercussions: Boeing 787’s First Fatal Crash
This marks the first fatal hull loss of a Boeing 787, raising global concern despite the plane’s 2009 introduction.
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Boeing stock dropped ~5% following news of the crash .
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CEO Kelly Ortberg canceled attendance at the upcoming Paris Air Show to manage the crisis.
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GE Aerospace mobilized technical teams to assist in the investigation.
Global Reaction: Condolences and Diplomatic Coordination
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Indian PM Narendra Modi, UK PM Keir Starmer, and King Charles III expressed sorrow.
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Canadian officials are collaborating with Indian authorities following reports of at least one Canadian onboard.
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British COBR A meeting activated in response to 53 UK nationals aboard.
Wreckage of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner lies at the site, showing part of its registration ''VT-ANB'', where the Air India plane crashed in Ahmedabad, India, June 12, 2025
What Lies Ahead: Lengthy Investigations and Safety Measures
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DGCA-led probe with international expertise, expected to take 12–24 months.
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Analysis of flight data and cockpit voice recorders will be key in uncovering systemic failures .
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Potential outcomes include:
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Safety directives for engine configuration checks, bird-strike protocols, and takeoff procedures
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Design improvements prompting Boeing modifications if mechanical flaws are identified
