Air India plane crash: flight bound for Gatwick crashes in Ahmedabad — live

Times

3 days ago

Local police have said at least 242 people were on the plane, thought to be a Boeing 787-8, which was departing from the Indian city of Ahmedabad
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Ben Clatworthy
, Transport and Travel Correspondent
Thursday June 12 2025, 10.45am, The Times
What you need to know
A London-bound plane has crashed shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad, western India
There were 232 passengers and 12 crew members on board, according to India's directorate of civil aviation
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a residential area called Meghani Nagar five minutes after taking off
Follow live updates throughout the day on Times Radio
10.45am
Analysis: 'hundreds of factors' could have caused crash
By Ben Clatworthy, Transport Correspondent
It is too early to say what has happened in the case of AI171 but the fact the plane crashed so quickly after take-off indicates there could be a number of factors.
Once a plane reaches the V1 point on a runway it has to take off no matter what happens because there is not enough runway left to stop. It is possible there was an issue on the runway but the pilots had to proceed. The plane crashed at 625ft.
Airline sources said there are 'hundreds of factors' that could have caused the crash and it is too early to say.
The Boeing Dreamliner is a much-respected plane and one that airlines have been very pleased with since its launch more than a decade ago.
The Boeing Dreamliner that Air India was operating seats about 242 passengers. The last wide-body crash was the downing of MH17 in July 2014. It was shot down at 33,000ft over the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, by a Russian-made missile.
Air India flight 171 has been involved in a 'tragic accident' and an emergency response has been activated, the chairman of the airline has confirmed.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of Air India, wrote that a support team at the airline had been set up for families seeking information.
Released by Tata Group, which owns a majority stake in the airline, the statement reads: 'With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad-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.
'Further updates will be shared as we receive more verified information. An emergency centre has been activated and support team have been set up for families seeking information.'
18 minutes ago
10.31am
Indian aviation minister 'shocked and devastated' by crash
India's aviation minister has said rescue teams have been mobilised to help the 242 people on board flight AI171 that crashed shortly after take-off in Ahmedabad.
Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said that he was 'shocked and devastated' by the news and the government was on the 'highest alert'.
'I am personally monitoring the situation and have directed all aviation and emergency response agencies to take swift and coordinated action,' he wrote.
'Rescue teams have been mobilised, and all efforts are being made to ensure medical aid and relief support are being rushed to the site. My thoughts and prayers are with all those on board and their families.'
The flight was scheduled to depart Ahmadabad at 8.50am BST and scheduled arrival time at Gatwick was 6.25pm BST.
The signal from the aircraft was lost at 9.08am BST (1.08pm local time) at 625ft, less than a minute after take-off, Flight Radar 24 reported
25 minutes ago
10.24am
242 people, including crew, on flight — local police
Local police have said at least 242 people — including crew members — were on board the flight when it crashed.
Gatwick has confirmed the plane was scheduled to land at just before 6.30pm BST.
43 minutes ago
10.05am
Air India investigating incident
In a statement on social media, Air India confirmed Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an 'incident' this morning. The company is currently 'ascertaining the details', the statement added.
An Air India plane bound for Gatwick has crashed as it was leaving the airport in India's western city of Ahmedabad.
More than 100 people were on board the flight, local media reported.
Air India said it was working to determine what happened