BREAKING: London-Bound Air India Plane Crashes Shortly After Take-Off, 242 On Board

Ahmedabad, India – A London-bound Air India flight carrying 242 people has crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, plunging into a residential area and prompting a large-scale emergency response.

According to BBC report, the aircraft identified as a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating Flight AI171, was en route to London Gatwick when it lost contact with air traffic control just seconds after takeoff.

A flight-tracking website Flightradar24 disclosed that the last signal from the aircraft was recorded at an altitude of just 625 feet (190 meters) at 13:39 IST.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed that the plane “crashed immediately after take-off” and issued a statement detailing the aircraft’s final moments. The flight had issued a mayday call but failed to respond further before crashing outside the airport perimeter.

“There were 242 people on board the aircraft, including two pilots and 10 cabin crew,” DGCA reported. The aircraft’s captain reportedly had 8,200 hours of flying experience, while the co-pilot had logged 1,100 hours.

The crash site is located in the Meghani Nagar area, a densely populated residential zone. Emergency responders have been mobilised and are conducting rescue and relief efforts on a “war footing,” according to Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel.

“I have instructed officials to arrange a green corridor to transport the injured passengers for treatment and to ensure all necessary medical arrangements are made at the hospital on priority,” Patel said in a post on social media platform X.

Air India’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed deep sorrow in an official statement:

“With profound sorrow, I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad to London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.”

The aircraft was scheduled to land at Gatwick Airport at 18:25 UK time. A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport confirmed that the plane had been expected and expressed condolences, stating that support services were being coordinated.

India’s aviation minister, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, called the incident “shocking and devastating.”

“We are on highest alert. Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site,” he said.

Air India has activated an emergency center and support teams to assist the families of passengers. The nationalities of the victims are still being confirmed, but officials have stated that 53 British nationals were aboard the flight.

Video footage and images from the crash site show plumes of black smoke rising over the city as rescue teams work amid the wreckage.

At this time, Ahmedabad airport remains closed with all flights suspended until further notice.

BBC