
Ground & Flight Tragedy: Air India Dreamliner Crashes Near Ahmedabad
Investigators probe engine failure as lone survivor emerges from devastating crash
Highlights:
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Thorough worldwide inspection of Boeing 787s in India and abroad
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AAIB to release a preliminary investigation report within 3 months
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Details of pilot actions, engine logs, and air traffic communications are currently being pieced together
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FILE PHOTO: A fire officer stands next to the crashed Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, in Ahmedabad, India, June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo -
Ahmedabad, June 19 – A Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating Air India Flight 171 to London crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad on June 12. Of the 242 occupants onboard, only British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh—seated in emergency exit row 11A—survived. Tragically, at least 30 people on the ground also lost their lives when the plane collided with a B.J. Medical College hostel
Investigators have uncovered early signs of engine failure. Evidence suggests that the aircraft’s emergency ram air turbine (RAT) deployed—indicative of power loss—possibly from a dual-engine malfunction only 30 seconds after takeoff. Black boxes have been recovered and are under analysis by India’s AAIB alongside UK, US, Boeing, and GE Aerospace representatives
In response, Air India has grounded its 787 fleet, canceling or delaying around 15% of long-haul operations. The Civil Aviation Ministry has launched a comprehensive safety review. Meanwhile, Indian authorities remain focused on securing more data before drawing definitive conclusions.