Tragedy in the Skies: Air India Flight Crashes After Takeoff, Over 240 on Board

A Flight That Never Made it Home

In a tragic turn of events, an Air India plane en route to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff from the Indian city of Ahmedabad on Thursday afternoon, with more than 240 people on board.

Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, went down just five minutes after lifting off at 1:38pm local time. The aircraft plummeted into the Meghani Nagar area — a dense residential zone where many doctors and healthcare workers live. Smoke was seen billowing over the neighbourhood as emergency services rushed to the scene.

Moments Before Impact

According to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the plane sent out a mayday call seconds after takeoff. Data from flight tracking site Flightradar24 shows the aircraft lost signal at just 625 feet above the ground — indicating it never gained stable altitude.

Footage from locals shows chaos and devastation in the area, with parts of the plane wreckage tangled in the remains of a multi-storey building. Rescue teams on-site have reportedly recovered at least 30 bodies, although Indian authorities have yet to confirm an official death toll.

Who Was on Board?

Air India has confirmed that 242 people were on board, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 British citizens, seven Portuguese passengers, and one Canadian. The crew included two pilots and ten cabin staff.

There’s a minor discrepancy, with officials citing 244 people on board — possibly due to variations in last-minute bookings or crew manifests, which often get clarified in the hours following a major aviation incident.

Why Did This Happen?

It’s still far too early for definitive answers. Weather conditions were reportedly clear at the time, ruling out poor visibility or storms as potential causes. Aviation experts say that the most dangerous phases of flight are takeoff and landing, accounting for the majority of accidents globally.

A formal investigation by Indian authorities and aviation safety experts is already underway.

Reactions pouring in

Social media has been flooded with messages of shock and grief, especially from users in India and the UK, where many families are awaiting news of their loved ones. One post read: “I can’t believe this is real. My cousin was on that flight. Please God, let her be safe.”

Others have shared prayers, calls for swift accountability, and questions about the safety protocols of major airlines operating long-haul international routes.

A Sombre Reminder

This incident marks one of the worst air disasters India has seen in recent years. While air travel remains statistically one of the safest modes of transport, events like this are a stark reminder of how quickly things can go wrong — even when the skies are clear.

The world now watches and waits as rescue teams continue their grim task, and aviation authorities search for answers.

Source:ENCA

Read more: Aviation Expert Warns of Rising Airline Safety Risks in South Africa.

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