On 12th June 2025, Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick, tragically crashed just minutes after takeoff. The flight was carrying 242 people, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. 

According to preliminary reports, the aircraft departed at 1:38 p.m. local time and issued a mayday call shortly after becoming airborne. Flight data indicates the signal was lost when the plane reached an altitude of approximately 625 feet. The aircraft crashed into a residential area in Meghani Nagar, reportedly impacting a building housing medical personnel. Emergency responders were quickly dispatched, with at least 30 casualties initially confirmed by personnel at the scene. Reports have since indicated over 100 fatalities, although official confirmation is pending. 

The Broader Implications 

While the investigation is ongoing, the incident highlights two important realities: 

Critical Phases of Flight Are High-Risk: 

Takeoff and landing account for the majority of aviation accidents. Regardless of the cause—be it mechanical failure, bird strike, or human error—these windows demand absolute preparedness from ground personnel and emergency response teams. 

Preparedness Saves Lives: 

When every second counts, trained responders, clear protocols, and realistic training simulations can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe. Unfortunately, many airports and civil aviation authorities still rely on infrequent drills or outdated methods, leaving critical gaps in readiness. 

Click here for the full news report on the incident: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jun/12/air-india-flight-ai171-plane-crash-ahmedabad-india-latest-updates