On Thursday, June 12, 2025, a tragic accident occurred when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (Flight 171) crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad.
The aircraft was carrying 242 people, out of which 241 lost their lives. Only one person survived and is currently being treated in a hospital. Moments before the crash, the pilot sent a distress message to air traffic control, saying, “Thrust not achieved… falling… Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!”
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This was the final communication received before contact was lost. Reports suggest that the aircraft used nearly the entire 3.5-kilometer runway, which is more than what is typically needed, possibly indicating a lack of sufficient engine thrust during takeoff.
Weather conditions were clear, and there were no earlier warnings, changes in runway requests, or technical issues observed by ground staff or air traffic controllers. Officials stated that all communication and safety protocols were followed properly. Investigators are now waiting to analyze the black box, which includes the flight data and cockpit voice recorder, to understand what exactly led to the crash. Air India released an official statement on social media platform X, confirming the number of fatalities and expressing deep regret over the incident.
