On 12 June 2025, Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (tail number VT-ANB), took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at approximately 13:39 IST, bound for London Gatwick. Seconds later, at about 625 feet altitude, the plummeted into the Meghani Nagar residential area, striking a hostel building at BJ Medical College before erupting in flames
There were 242 individuals onboard -- 230 passengers and 12 crew members. All barring one were killed in the crash. The total fatalities in the crash were 265 including people on the ground.
This special report focuses on the aftermath of the Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, where the Supreme Court has stepped in to address a plea by Pushkar Raj Sabharwal, the 91-year-old father of the deceased pilot, Captain Sumit Sabharwal. The bench, led by Justices Suryakant and Joymalya Bagchi, orally observed that 'nobody can blame him for anything'. The court's assurance came while hearing a petition for an independent probe, with the bench noting that the preliminary Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) report does not hold the pilots responsible. Notices have been issued to the DGCA and the Centre as the grieving father continues his battle to clear his son's name amidst allegations and misreporting surrounding the tragic crash that killed 241 people on board and 19 on the ground.
This special report focuses on the Supreme Court's hearing into the AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives. The court has issued notices to the DGCA and the central government after the deceased pilot Captain Sumit Sabarwal's father filed a plea seeking an independent investigation into the tragedy. Observing that the pilot must not be blamed, the bench told the 91-year-old petitioner, 'It's extremely unfortunate, this crash, but you should not carry this burden that your son is being blamed'. The plea, filed by Senior Advocate Gopal Shankar Narayan, contests the preliminary findings of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIIB), alleging it unfairly hinted at pilot error and was not an independent inquiry as required by international conventions. The court noted that no official report holds the pilots responsible and suggested media reports hinting at blame were misinterpretations.
This special report focuses on the profound suffering of Vishwas Kumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the tragic Air India 171 crash in Ahmedabad. Months after the incident that claimed 241 lives on board and 19 on the ground, Ramesh is grappling with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and survivor's guilt over the death of his brother, Ajay. In an interview, Ramesh stated, 'For me, after this accident, it's very difficult, physically and mentally, for me and my family.' The report delves into his solitary struggle, his isolation from his wife and son, and the immense mental and physical pain he endures daily. It also highlights the ongoing discussions regarding the compensation offered by Air India, which his representatives have deemed insufficient for his extensive needs following the catastrophic event.
This special report focuses on Vishwakumar Ramesh, the sole survivor of the tragic Air India 171 crash in Ahmedabad that claimed 260 lives. Months after the incident, Ramesh is battling severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the grief of losing his brother, Ajay, in the crash. 'For me after this accident, it's very difficult, physically and mentally, for me and my family,' Ramesh revealed. The report delves into his profound emotional and psychological struggles, including his isolation from his wife and son and the immense guilt of being the only one to survive. It also touches upon Air India's interim compensation offer of Rs 25.09 lakh, which his advisors deem insufficient for his ongoing needs.
This episode of 5 Live programme focusses on the ongoing scrutiny of the Air India crash investigation in Ahmedabad and the nutritional realities of Navratri fasting foods.
The families of four passengers killed in the June 12th crash of Air India Flight 171 have filed a lawsuit in Delaware Superior Court against Boeing and Honeywell.
Sixty-five families of the Air India crash victims have hired Beasley Allen, the same American law firm that previously sued Boeing over the 2018 Lion Air and 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crashes, securing $2.5 billion in compensation.
Air India has now reported to the regulator that it found 'no issues with the lock mechanism of the fuel control switches' on its planes.
The Monsoon Session of Parliament has kicked off with the Opposition adopting a combative approach. Congress MP Naseer Hussain has submitted a Rule 267 notice seeking suspension of regular business to discuss the Bihar Rural Division. The Opposition is also set to raise several pressing issues, including the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, the Ahmedabad plane crash, and concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Review (SIR).
Just four weeks before the deadly Air India AI171 crash, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority flagged the fuel shutoff valve on Boeing aircraft—including the 787 Dreamliner that went down.
The preliminary report into the Air India Flight AI171 crash, which killed 260 people in June 2025, has sparked outrage among Indian pilots.
India Today has accessed Air India's compensation forms for families of victims in the Ahmedabad plane crash. The forms seek information about the victim's employment status and financial dependency of family members on the deceased. Some families, represented by a UK-based law firm, allege coercion in submitting these financial disclosures.
The security of officers investigating the Air India crash has been heightened following an intelligence threat report. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau chief, GVG Yugandar, will receive X category security provided by CRPF commandos. This decision comes after the Home Ministry received an intelligence report indicating a potential threat to the bureau chief, who is leading the investigation into the Ahmedabad plane crash.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has begun extracting data from the black box and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) of the crashed Air India plane. The memory module was successfully accessed at the AAIB lab in Delhi. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is assisting in the investigation. This process aims to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the crash in Ahmedabad and identify contributing factors to enhance aviation safety.
A video showing Air India SATS employees dancing just eight days after the AI 171 crash has gone viral.
The recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad has spotlighted a March Parliament committee report that highlighted funding gaps in aviation safety and accident investigations. Despite India being the world's third-largest aviation market, the report criticised the meagre ₹35 crore budget for aviation security and crash probe infrastructure as inadequate.
After Air India flight AI-171 crashed just minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, the airline changed its number to AI-159.
Do crashed planes get rebuilt? Repaired? Scrapped?
The sole survivor of the Air India flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, Viswashkumar Ramesh, escaped miraculously as he landed between two buildings on soft soil, according to sources.
Amid safety concerns following Air India's plane crash in Ahmedabad, BJP MP and professional pilot Rajiv Pratap Rudy asserts that Indian aviation matches world standards and is amongst the safest globally.
