Um avião da Air India, voo AI171, com destino a Londres, caiu logo após a decolagem no Aeroporto Internacional Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, em Ahmedabad, no estado de Gujarat, Índia, na quinta-feira, 12 de junho de 2025. A aeronave, um Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, transportava 242 passageiros e tripulantes, incluindo cidadãos indianos, britânicos, portugueses e canadenses. O acidente ocorreu por volta das 13h38, horário local, quando o sinal da aeronave foi perdido a 625 pés de altitude, conforme dados do An Air India flight, AI171, bound for London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, on Thursday, June 12, 2025. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carried 242 passengers and crew, including Indian, British, Portuguese, and Canadian nationals. The incident occurred around 1:38 p.m. local time when the aircraft’s signal was lost at 625 feet, according to FlightRadar24. A Mayday call was issued by the crew moments before the crash, as reported by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Rescue teams were swiftly deployed, and the injured are being taken to local hospitals. The tragedy shocked authorities and citizens, with leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing condolences.
The scale of the accident is still being assessed, but images from the scene show dense smoke, charred trees, and a damaged building, identified as a doctors’ hostel hit by the plane. The incident marks the first major accident involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011.
- Nationalities on board: 169 Indians, 53 British, 7 Portuguese, 1 Canadian.
- Initial response: Emergency teams, including firefighters and medical personnel, are working at the scene.
- Official statements: Indian and British authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
The investigation has begun, led by India’s civil aviation authorities, with support from representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom due to the aircraft’s manufacture and flight destination.
Accident details
Flight AI171 took off at 1:38 p.m. local time, heading to Gatwick Airport in London. Less than a minute after takeoff, the aircraft issued an emergency call, indicating critical issues. According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, no response was received after the Mayday call. The plane crashed outside the airport perimeter, causing an explosion and thick black smoke.
Images show chaos at the site, with sirens, rescue teams, and scattered debris. A building, identified as a doctors’ hostel, was hit, sustaining significant damage. A senior police officer reported that 70% to 80% of the area has been cleared, with efforts ongoing to access the rest.
The accident caused immediate outcry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who served as Gujarat’s chief minister from 2001 to 2014, called the incident “devastating” and said he is in contact with authorities to coordinate assistance.
Air India’s history
Air India, acquired by the Tata Group in 2022, has undergone significant reform in recent years. Founded in 1932 by J.R.D. Tata, the airline was nationalized in 1953 and faced financial challenges before returning to private control. Since the acquisition, the company has invested in modernization to meet the growing demand of India’s middle class.
Despite progress, the airline has recorded notable accidents:
- In 2020, an Air India Express flight, a subsidiary, crashed in Kerala, killing 18 people after skidding off the runway.
- In 2018, an Air India Boeing 737 hit a wall during takeoff.
- In 2010, 158 people died in a crash in Mangalore, one of India’s deadliest accidents.
These incidents prompted improvements in India’s aviation safety, but challenges like airspace congestion remain.
Boeing 787 Dreamliner in focus
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, the model involved, is a long-range aircraft known for its efficiency and advanced technology. Introduced in 2011, it operates over 2,100 daily flights, with more than 1,175 units in service globally, according to Boeing. This is the first major incident recorded with the Dreamliner, per the manufacturer’s statistical data.
Aviation analyst Geoffrey Thomas reviewed footage of the crash and noted the aircraft did not appear to be in distress before “sinking and hitting the ground in a fireball.” Boeing stated it is gathering more information and will cooperate with investigations.
International response
The accident mobilized authorities from several countries due to the diverse nationalities on board. The United Kingdom, with 53 citizens on the flight, activated consular channels to support families. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed solidarity and confirmed the government is working with Indian authorities to clarify facts. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the scenes “devastating.”
Portugal is monitoring the situation of seven citizens, possibly dual nationals from Gujarat, according to its Foreign Ministry. Canada, with one national on board, was also notified.
Rescue efforts
Rescue operations began immediately. Firefighters, police, and medical teams were dispatched to the site, facing dense smoke and debris. Images show teams carrying victims and controlling fire outbreaks. Local hospitals were placed on alert to receive the injured, though the exact number of casualties remains undisclosed.
- Actions at the site:
- Fire control and debris removal.
- Emergency medical care.
- Evacuation of nearby areas.
- Coordination among police, firefighters, and aviation authorities.
The priority is locating survivors and securing the area, which remains cordoned off.
Ongoing investigation
The investigation will be led by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, with experts from the United States, where the Boeing 787 is manufactured, and the United Kingdom, the flight’s destination. Representatives from Portugal and Canada may also be included due to passenger nationalities.
The investigation will aim to determine the crash’s causes, analyzing black box data, air traffic control communications, and the aircraft’s condition. The Mayday call suggests a sudden technical or operational issue, but no hypotheses have been confirmed.
Indian authorities’ reactions
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah expressed deep sorrow and confirmed disaster response forces were sent to the site. He communicated with Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other officials to monitor the situation. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also mourned the incident, highlighting support for victims’ families.
Gujarat, where Ahmedabad is the largest city, is in mourning. The tragedy resonates deeply, given the region’s political and economic significance.
Aviation safety in India
India’s aviation sector has grown exponentially, driven by an expanding middle class and demand for air travel. However, increased air traffic has brought challenges, such as infrastructure modernization and airspace management.
Past accidents led to reforms, including stricter pilot training and improvements in runways and navigation systems. Still, incidents like Ahmedabad highlight the need for ongoing safety investments.
Next steps
Indian authorities are expected to release updates on casualties and rescue progress. Identifying passengers and notifying families are priorities, while the technical investigation advances to clarify the crash’s circumstances.
Air India pledged assistance to victims and full cooperation with authorities. The airline now faces managing the crisis amid its recent transformation, while Boeing closely monitors implications for the Dreamliner model.