On June 13, 2023, a catastrophic incident unfolded in Ahmedabad, India, as an Air India plane crash claimed the lives of more than 240 people, marking it as one of the world's most devastating aviation disasters in the last decade. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operating Flight AI171 and carrying 242 individuals, was en route to Gatwick Airport in London when it tragically crashed into a medical college hostel just after takeoff.
Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage revealed that the aircraft took off over a residential area before disappearing from view, shortly followed by a massive fireball erupting into the sky. The crash occurred during the lunch hour, resulting in fatalities not only among the passengers but also on the ground, with local media reporting as many as 24 deaths; however, this figure has yet to be verified by Reuters.
The only survivor of this tragic incident was a British national, who is currently receiving treatment in a local hospital. He recounted the harrowing moment shortly after takeoff when he heard a loud noise, leading to the catastrophic crash.
Rescue workers immediately sprang into action, combing through the wreckage of the hostel and the scattered parts of the plane. As of Friday, they had transitioned from searching for survivors to locating missing individuals and bodies within the charred remains of the buildings. Reports from the Hindustan Times indicated that one of the two black boxes from the aircraft had been discovered, although the specifics regarding whether it was the flight data recorder or the cockpit voice recorder remain unconfirmed.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site in his home state of Gujarat to assess the situation and meet with injured individuals. He expressed his sorrow over the devastation, stating, "The scene of devastation is saddening," in a post on social media platform X.
Residents living near the crash site reported that the hostel, which was completed just a year ago, was not fully occupied at the time. One eyewitness, 63-year-old Nitin Joshi, described the moment of the crash: "We were at home and heard a massive sound, it appeared like a big blast. We then saw very dark smoke engulfing the entire area."
The impact of the crash was severe, with parts of the aircraft's fuselage strewn across the area, and the tail of the plane lodged on top of the building. Investigations into the cause of the crash are currently underway, with focus on potential issues regarding engine thrust, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Air India’s Chief Executive Officer, Campbell Wilson, arrived in Ahmedabad early Friday to oversee the situation. The airline has acknowledged the complexity of the investigation, which will take time to unravel. Meanwhile, Boeing has pledged to send a team of experts to assist with the inquiry.
This tragic event marks the first crash of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which has been in commercial operation since 2011. The specific aircraft involved in the crash had its first flight in 2013 and was delivered to Air India in January 2014, according to Flightradar24. Notably, the last fatal plane crash in India occurred in 2020, involving Air India Express.
In a separate incident, another Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing following a bomb threat. The airline has not yet issued a comment regarding this incident.
The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has left a profound impact on the community and the nation. As rescue operations continue and investigations unfold, the hope remains that the causes of this disaster will be thoroughly understood to prevent future tragedies.
