A tragic aviation incident unfolded as an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft had 242 people on board, including both passengers and crew members.
Flight AI171 Crashed Minutes After Departure
According to reports, the flight took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 PM. Within minutes, it lost control and crashed near the airport perimeter. The aircraft was headed for London Gatwick and had just commenced its long-haul journey when the disaster struck.
Passenger Nationalities Confirmed
Air India confirmed that out of the 242 individuals on board:
- 169 were Indian nationals
- 53 were British citizens
- 7 were from Portugal
- 1 passenger was a Canadian national
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, a modern long-range aircraft introduced into service in 2011.
Weather Conditions Were Reportedly Stable
Aviation safety expert Marko Chan told the BBC that weather conditions during the time of the crash were stable and clear. “There were no significant clouds, storms, wind changes, or adverse weather that would typically contribute to a crash,” he noted.
Aircraft Had a Strong Safety Record
Chan further elaborated that the Dreamliner 787-8 model has maintained a strong safety record since its deployment. “Although the aircraft faced initial grounding issues in 2013 due to lithium-ion battery concerns, it had never been involved in a fatal passenger crash until now,” he stated.
Ahmedabad Airport Previously Considered Safe
According to Chan, the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has had a relatively safe record over the past decade, with no major accidents reported until this tragic incident.
