AHMEDABAD, India (AP) – An Air India passenger plane, flight AI 171, crashed on Thursday in Ahmedabad, a major city in India's northwestern region. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-8, was carrying 244 people, including 232 passengers and 12 crew members, when it took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time, headed for Gatwick Airport in London.
Local media and visuals from the scene confirmed that the plane crashed five minutes after takeoff, landing in the residential area of Meghani Nagar. Eyewitness accounts described smoke and flames billowing from the crash site, which is situated near a densely populated urban area of over 5 million residents.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, director general of the directorate of civil aviation, provided details on the incident to The Associated Press. He confirmed that this incident marks a significant moment in aviation history, as it is the first recorded crash of a Boeing 787 aircraft, according to the Aviation Safety Network database. The Boeing 787, known as the Dreamliner, has been in service since its introduction in 2009, with over 1,000 units delivered to various airlines worldwide.
Airports across the globe are now aware of the crash, with Gatwick Airport posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to acknowledge the incident. The flight was initially scheduled to arrive in London at 6:25 p.m. local time.
In the wake of the disaster, India's Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, took to social media to announce that rescue teams had been mobilized to the crash site. He emphasized the importance of medical aid and relief efforts, stating, “We are on highest alert. I am personally monitoring the situation.”
Air India’s chairman, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, expressed the airline's commitment to supporting those affected by the tragedy. In his statement on social media, he mentioned that an emergency center and support team had been established for families seeking information about the passengers and crew onboard. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event,” he added.
As the investigation into the crash begins, authorities are focused on understanding the factors that led to this catastrophic event. Details from the crash site and initial assessments from aviation experts will be crucial in piecing together the circumstances surrounding this unprecedented aviation tragedy.
This incident has drawn significant attention, as it not only involves a large number of casualties but also concerns a modern aircraft that is widely used by airlines globally. The aviation industry will closely monitor the findings of the investigation, with the hope of preventing such occurrences in the future.
Overall, the crash of Air India's flight AI 171 has ignited widespread concern and sorrow, highlighting the fragile nature of air travel and the profound impact of such tragedies on the lives of passengers and their families.
