As of June 13, 2025, the Air India Flight AI171 crash remains under investigation. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, resulting in the deaths of 241 of the 242 people onboard, including 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The sole survivor, British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, sustained minor injuries. The crash also caused fatalities on the ground after the plane struck a medical hostel in the BJ Medical College complex, leading to additional deaths and injuries among medical students and residents.
Miraculously, the only survivor was seated in 11C, a position over the wing area. Aviation experts suggest that the structural integrity of this part of the aircraft may have played a role in his survival. The survivor, Ramesh Vishwaskumar, escaped with minor injuries and is currently assisting investigators.
This incident marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, a model previously known for its strong safety record. The aircraft was equipped with GE Aerospace engines, and both Boeing and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration are cooperating in the investigation, which is being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Authorities are conducting DNA tests to identify victims due to the extent of the burns. Tributes have poured in from communities, leaders, and global figures. Boeing and the U.S. FAA are cooperating in the investigation, while India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau leads the probe. UK officials have deployed a crisis response team, and community vigils are being held in the UK. Emotional accounts from victims’ families and a nationwide mourning highlight the tragedy’s impact.
This tragedy is the deadliest aviation disaster in India since the 1996 mid-air collision over Charkhi Dadri. The incident has prompted mourning and solidarity from international communities, with global leaders expressing condolences and pledging investigative support.
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