Flight 171, which departed from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India, to London Gatwick, tragically crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday. The aircraft failed to gain altitude and impacted a nearby doctors’ hostel, resulting in nearly all on board losing their lives, along with additional casualties among residents of the hostel.
Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik initially indicated that there were no survivors; however, he later confirmed the existence of a survivor, a British man named Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A. Witnesses recalled a loud noise occurring about thirty seconds into the flight, leading to the crash. Ramesh described a chaotic scene, stating, “When I got up, there were bodies all around me. I was scared.” After being rescued, he was taken to the hospital with injuries to his chest, eyes, and feet while searching for his missing brother.
The flight was carrying 242 passengers and crew, comprising 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi deemed the incident “heartbreaking,” while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and King Charles expressed their condolences and shock.
Initial reports stated that at least five medical students from a local college lost their lives, with over 50 others sustaining injuries. Some of the injured remain in critical condition, raising concerns about potential additional casualties.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Tata Sons, which owns Air India, announced financial aid of 1 crore rupees (approximately $179,147) for the families of the deceased and pledged to cover medical expenses for the injured. He expressed deep sorrow for the loss and offered condolences to affected families.
This incident marks the first crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with Boeing stating they are in the process of gathering further information. India’s aviation regulatory body reported that the aircraft issued a mayday call but subsequently ceased communication with air traffic control.
As investigators commence their analysis, aviation consultant John M. Cox noted that initial images suggest the aircraft was not climbing properly at the time of the crash. The flight data recorder, which captures extensive flight parameters, will be pivotal in understanding the circumstances of this devastating event. The aviation community observes these developments closely as the situation evolves.