Tragedy struck just minutes after takeoff as Air India Flight 171, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed outside the airport perimeter in a catastrophic accident on Wednesday afternoon. The airline has confirmed the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“With profound sorrow I confirm that Air India Flight 171 operating Ahmedabad–London Gatwick was involved in a tragic accident today,” said Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chair of Air India, in a statement shared via Agence France-Presse (AFP). “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of all those affected by this devastating event.”
The flight departed Ahmedabad at approximately 1:39 PM IST (0809 UTC), slightly behind its scheduled departure time. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aircraft issued a mayday call shortly after takeoff, but communication was lost thereafter.
Officials report that the plane crashed just nine minutes after takeoff, plummeting to the ground beyond the airport’s boundary. Eyewitnesses near the scene saw heavy black smoke billowing from the crash site, raising immediate fears of fatalities.
India’s aviation minister reacted swiftly, stating he was “shocked and devastated” by the crash and assured the public that emergency response teams had been fully mobilised. “We are on the highest alert,” he said.
The DGCA provided additional details about the crew, confirming that Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, the pilot-in-command, was a seasoned Long-Term Captain (LTC) with over 8,200 flying hours. The co-pilot had 1,100 hours of experience.
Initial investigations suggest a mechanical or technical failure may have occurred shortly after departure from Runway 23. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
An emergency centre has been activated, and a support team is working around the clock to provide assistance and information to families of passengers on board.
As of press time, no official confirmation has been given on the number of casualties. However, authorities fear that all on board may have perished.
Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.
