Latest news with #BoeingDreamliner787
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Someone Somehow Survived That Massive Boeing Jet Explosion
On Thursday, a Boeing jet crashed just moments after taking off from an airport in Ahmedabad in western India. The Air India airliner, carrying 242 passengers, slammed into a nearby medical college and exploded in an enormous fireball. Somehow, one man survived: 38-year-old Viswash Kumar Ramesh. "I don't know how I am alive," Viswash said, according to his younger brother Nayan Ramesh, as quoted by the New York Times. In a video widely shared on social media, the India-born British citizen can be seen limping away from the crash site and towards an ambulance, his shirt bloodied and with what appears to be ash clinging to his hair and clothes. It's almost certain that everyone else onboard perished in the disastrous crash, including Viswash's brother Ajay. The siblings were returning to England after a vacation in India. Ramesh echoed his disbelief in an interview from his hospital bed. "I still can't believe how I got out alive," he told Indian state-owned broadcaster DD News, as quoted by the NYT. "I thought I was also about to die." Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash of Air India Flight 171, which could take months or even years to determine. One compelling piece of evidence so far is footage of the takeoff from several angles. As the airliner, a Boeing Dreamliner 787, rises from the runway, it can be seen losing lift, before eerily floating down to the streets below. Data from the flight-tracking service Flightradar, which was shared in a tweet, indicates that the jet reached a maximum altitude of 625 feet — with the airport's altitude at about 200 feet — before plunging at a rate of 475 feet per minute. Additional data from the aviation analytics firm Cirium cited by the NYT showed that the jet, which was delivered in January 2014, had racked up more than 41,000 flight hours, and had taken off or landed nearly 8,000 times over its career — which is typical for its class and age. What this all means is unclear. Some experts have speculated that this could be a case of an extremely rare double engine failure, while others have disputed this explanation. It's far too early to know for sure, regardless. Per the NYT, Ramesh recalled that the plane felt "stuck five or 10 seconds after takeoff," and that the pilot was trying to accelerate the aircraft. "But it was struggling," he said. Ramesh was sitting in seat 11A, a number which has already become immortalized online. After the crash, Ramesh said he unbuckled his seatbelt and looked for an exit, seeing that the right side was blocked off by the wall of a building, with passengers unable to escape. "I could see in front of my eyes the air hostesses and others — just everybody caught in it." On the other side, "as soon as the door broke, I could see that it was open for me and I had a chance to get out," Ramesh said, adding that he burned his hand when the fire erupted. The horrific tragedy will heighten the scrutiny on Boeing. This is the first crash that its 787 Dreamliner has been involved in since it was launched in 2011, but the company has been embroiled in scandal after two deadly crashes with its 737 MAX 8 in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. The scrutiny was renewed in early 2024, when a "door plug" on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 blew out midflight. Air India also has a history marred with deadly crashes, including one in 2010 that killed 158 people, and its most recent occurring in 2020, with 21 dead; in both, pilot error was implicated. More on: Boeing Jet Explodes in Giant Fireball, Killing Hundreds
Canada Standard
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
"In contact with Air India, ready to support them": Boeing Airplanes after Ahmedabad plane crash
New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Boeing Airplanes said on Thursday that it is in contact with Air India regarding the AI-171 flight with 242 passengers and 12 crew bound for London's Gatwick airport crashed shortly after it took off in Meghaninagar area in Ahmedabad. The official X handle of US planemaker Boeing Commercial Airplanes said, 'We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected.' Air India posted on X that the Boeing Dreamliner 787 flight was carrying 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian and seven Portuguese. The flight crashed in a residential area at 1:39 pm (IST) after taking off from the Ahmedabad-Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International here. Meanwhile, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is in contact with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding Air India flight AI171. 'When an international incident occurs, that government leads the investigation,' the FAA said in a statement. 'In the event assistance is requested, the NTSB is the official U.S. representative and the FAA provides technical support.' 'We stand ready to launch a team immediately in coordination with the NTSB,' it said. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident in Ahmedabad, terming it 'heartbreaking beyond words.' He conveyed his condolences and assured assistance to those affected. According to the post, PM Modi has been closely monitoring the situation and is in constant communication with state authorities. 'The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected,' the Prime Minister wrote. The aircraft was under the command of Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, an LTC with 8,200 hours of flying experience. He was assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar, who had 1,100 hours of flying experience, the official said. As per Air Traffic Control (ATC), the aircraft departed from Runway 23 at 1339 IST (0809 UTC). It gave a mayday call to ATC, but thereafter, no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC. 'Aircraft immediately after departure from Runway 23, fell on the ground outside the airport perimeter. Heavy black smoke was seen coming from the accident site,' the official added. (ANI)
United News of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- United News of India
DGCA issues additional safety guidelines for Air India's Boeing 787
New Delhi, June 13 (UNI) In the wake of air crash involving Boeing Dreamliner 787, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued guidelines to Air India for additional safety inspections and measures to be carried out before the operation and maintenance of the aircraft. In an order issued here, the aviation regulator stated that an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft operating flight AI-171 (Ahmedabad to Gatwick) met with an accident on Thursday. As a preventive measure, the DGCA has directed Air India to carry out additional maintenance actions on Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft equipped with Genx engines, in coordination with the concerned regional DGCA offices. These measures will come into effect from June 15, the order said. The DGCA stated that, as part of aircraft maintenance and pre-flight drills, inspections must be carried out for fuel parameter monitoring and related system checks, cabin air compressor and associated systems, electronic engine control system testing, engine fuel-driven actuator operation testing, oil system inspection, and serviceability checks of the hydraulic system. In addition, a review of the flight readiness parameters should be conducted, and a 'flight control inspection' must be included in the transit checks until further notice. A power assurance check should be carried out within two weeks, and maintenance actions on Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft must be ensured at the earliest based on a review of recurring faults observed over the past 15 days. The DGCA stated that the complete report of the above-mentioned inspections must be submitted to the DGCA for review. UNI RBE GNK
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
AI plane with 242 on board crashes near Ahmedabad airport, Vijay Rupani among dead
Ahmedabad/New Delhi, June 12 (UNI) A UK-bound Air India flight with 242 people on board crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among those killed in the crash. Mr Rupani, 68, was the Chief Minister from 2016 till 2021. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while confirming the death of Vijay Rupani, said he was 'pained by the tragic demise of former Gujarat Chief Minister Rupani ji in the unfortunate plane crash in Ahmedabad. He will be remembered as a grass-root leader who devoted his life for the development and welfare of his state.' Mr Singh said. BJP Gujarat chief C R Patil also confirmed the demise of Mr Rupani. Details about casualties were not known immediately and there was no official statement on the number of casualties. One person who was sitting on seat no. 11 A, was admitted to hospital even as the kin of other passengers frantically looked for any survivors. The aircraft lost contact within minutes of takeoff and went down in the Meghani Nagar area. Rescue operations were on. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were brought in from Gandhinagar. The Air India flight, a Boeing Dreamliner 787, crashed in a densely populated area near the airport. Immediately after the crash, local residents rushed to the area to help with rescue efforts. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals on board. There were 12 crew members. Air India in a post on X, said "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident 12 June 2025." It said Air India continues to ascertain the details. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash. In a post on X, President Droupadi Murmu said she was "deeply distressed" to learn about the incident and called it a "heart-rending disaster." 'I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief,' the President said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while describing the tragedy as 'heartbreaking beyond words,' said 'the tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.' The Prime Minister spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and directed them to ensure that all necessary support is extended immediately and has asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation. The Civil Aviation Minister Minister informed the Prime Minister that he was rushing to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief operations on the ground. Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran said XXX Editors pick up from Para eight of Accident Air India Third Lead crash. UNI RB GNK
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
AI plane with 242 people on board, crashes near Ahmedabad airport immediately after take-off
Ahmedabad, June 12 (UNI) An Air India flight bound for London with 242 people on board crashed near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. Details about casualties were not known and there was no official comment on any casualties. Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was listed among the passengers of the ill-fated flight. Mr Rupani, 68, was the Chief Minister from 2016 till 2021. One person who was sitting on seat no. 11 A, was admitted to hospital even as the kin of other passengers frantically looked for any survivors. The aircraft lost contact within minutes of takeoff and went down in the Meghani Nagar area. Rescue operations were on. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were brought in from Gandhinagar. The Air India flight, a Boeing Dreamliner 787, crashed in a densely populated area near the airport. Immediately after the crash, local residents rushed to the area to help with rescue efforts. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese nationals on board. There were 12 crew members. Air India in a post on X, said "Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident 12 June 2025." It said Air India continues to ascertain the details. Pesident Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash. In a post on X, President Droupadi Murmu said she was "deeply distressed" to learn about the incident and called it a "heart-rending disaster." 'I am deeply distressed to learn about the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad. It is a heart-rending disaster. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. The nation stands with them in this hour of indescribable grief,' the President said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi while describing the tragedy as 'heartbreaking beyond words,' said 'the tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.' The Prime Minister spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu and directed them to ensure that all necessary support is extended immediately and has asked to be kept regularly updated on the situation. The Civil Aviation Minister Minister informed the Prime Minister that he was rushing to Ahmedabad to oversee rescue and relief operations on the ground. Air India chairman N Chandrasekaran said XXX Editors pick up from Para eight of Accident Air India Lead crash. UNI RB GNK
