An extensive investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the tragic Air India airliner crash that occurred shortly after takeoff on Thursday. The aircraft, which was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, crashed into a building in the Meghaninager area near Ahmedabad airport. This incident has raised serious concerns about aviation safety and the factors leading to such catastrophic events.
On Friday, Indian officials confirmed the recovery of both black boxes from the downed Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. While one of the black boxes was found to be damaged, it is recoverable and will undergo thorough investigation in India. U.S. aviation investigators are expected to arrive on Sunday to assist with the inquiry, according to Shri G.V.G. Yugandhar, the director general of India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
The ill-fated flight had departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 hrs, bound for the United Kingdom. On board were 242 individuals, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, one Canadian national, and seven Portuguese nationals. Unfortunately, the crash resulted in 246 fatalities, which include not only passengers and crew members but also five medical students who were present in the building that the aircraft struck, as reported by local officials and the airline.
Amid the devastation, there was one reported survivor, Vishwaskumar Ramesh. He is currently hospitalized at the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. Ramesh recounted his harrowing experience to NDTV, stating, “Everything happened in front of my eyes. I thought I would die. The side where I was seated fell into the ground floor of the building. There was some space. When the door broke, I saw that space and I just jumped out.” Initially, officials had stated that no survivors were expected from the crash.
The process of retrieving the bodies of the victims is nearing completion, with DNA profiling of the victims' family members set to commence shortly. Indian Home Minister Amit Shah revealed that approximately 125,000 liters of fuel were onboard the aircraft, which contributed to the extreme temperatures that hindered rescue efforts. The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation indicated that the plane fell just outside the airport perimeter immediately after departure.
Video footage from the crash site shows the aircraft disappearing below the tree line, followed moments later by a massive explosion and a thick plume of gray smoke. The tragedy has left the nation in shock, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his deep condolences on social media, stating, “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words.”
In response to this devastating incident, Air India has announced plans to organize two relief flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Ahmedabad for the next of kin of the passengers and Air India staff. The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has pledged to provide ₹1 crore (approximately $116,000) to the families of each individual who lost their life in the crash, in addition to covering medical expenses for those injured.
This incident underscores the critical importance of aviation safety and the need for thorough investigations to prevent such tragedies in the future. As more information becomes available, the aviation community and the public remain hopeful for answers and healing in the aftermath of this disaster.
