Investigators begin probe Into deadly India Flight Ai171 disaster

Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, which plummeted into a residential area seconds after take-off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, killing more than 200 people in one of India’s worst air disasters in recent memory.

The ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner was en route to London with 242 people on board — 230 passengers and 12 crew members — when it lost contact with air traffic control just moments after becoming airborne.

According to aviation tracking service Flightradar24, the aircraft’s final recorded altitude was only 625 feet (190 meters), far below expected climb performance after departure.

The Crash

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion shortly after the jet roared off the runway around 10:44 a.m. local time.

Within moments, the aircraft nosedived into a densely populated medical housing complex, primarily inhabited by doctors and medical students, creating a massive fireball and flattening multiple structures.

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed that 204 bodies had been recovered from the scene, with fears that the number could rise as search and recovery operations continue.

Rescue workers labored for hours through the wreckage, facing intense heat and debris.

“This is one of the most horrifying aviation scenes we’ve encountered,” Malik told reporters at a press briefing. “The devastation is total — both passengers and local residents are among the victims.”

Early Theories and Investigations

While officials caution that it is too early to determine the exact cause, aviation experts and crash investigators are focusing on multiple possible factors, including: Mechanical failure: Investigators are examining whether a catastrophic systems failure could have occurred during take-off; Engine malfunction: Eyewitnesses and preliminary audio recordings reportedly suggest an unusual sound from the engines just before the crash.

Pilot error or disorientation: Flight data and cockpit voice recordings recovered from the aircraft’s black boxes are now being analyzed to determine the sequence of events in the cockpit.

Bird strike or foreign object damage: Given the aircraft’s low altitude, experts are not ruling out the possibility of external interference such as bird strikes.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with representatives from Boeing and international aviation safety bodies, are participating in the investigation. U.S. aviation authorities are expected to join due to the aircraft being manufactured by Boeing.

Victims and Nationalities

Air India confirmed the nationalities of those on board: 169 Indians, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian. The airline is coordinating with embassies and consular officials to assist grieving families.

Local authorities reported that dozens of medical students residing in the impacted housing complex were injured.

READ ALSO: 19 people killed as military plane crashes in residential area

At least 60 students were hospitalized, five remain missing, and two are in critical condition, according to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).

A survivor’s mother recalled how her son leapt from a second-story window to escape the inferno. “It was instinct. Everything happened so fast,” she said, still shaken by the trauma.

International and Domestic Response

The tragedy has triggered a wave of mourning across India and abroad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow and directed emergency support teams to assist survivors and families. “Our hearts go out to every family affected by this terrible incident,” he said in a statement.

In the UK, King Charles III expressed “profound shock and sympathy,” while Canadian and Portuguese leaders offered condolences and support.

Airport Safety and Next Steps

Flights at Ahmedabad airport have resumed, with India’s Aviation Ministry stressing that all safety checks are in place. However, public concern is mounting over flight safety and emergency readiness in major Indian airports.

Officials confirmed that a full accident investigation board has been constituted and preliminary findings will be shared with the public in due course.

As families await answers, the nation remains gripped by grief and disbelief over a tragedy that unfolded in mere seconds — a stark reminder of the fragility of flight and the critical importance of aviation safety.