A catastrophic plane crash has rocked Ahmedabad, claiming numerous lives and prompting urgent action from the Civil Aviation Ministry. The ministry’s latest revelations, including details about the black box, unravel the heart-wrenching story of Air India Flight AI171.
Ahmedabad’s Darkest Hour
A city bustling with life was plunged into grief on June 12, 2025. Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed moments after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane, carrying 242 souls, plummeted into the Meghani area, smashing into a medical college hostel. A massive fireball lit up the sky. Black smoke choked the air. At least 265 lives were lost, including passengers and people on the ground. Among them was Vijay Rupani, former Gujarat Chief Minister—a loss that deepened the state’s sorrow.
Ministry’s High-Level Response
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu sprang into action. He chaired a high-level air safety meeting in New Delhi on June 14. Addressing the media, he shared chilling details. “The black box has been recovered,” he announced, his voice heavy with resolve. “It’s a crucial step to uncover the truth.” The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading a probe, following global protocols. Naidu vowed a “fair and thorough investigation.” The nation, he said, deserves answers.
A Pilot’s Desperate Call
Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha painted a grim picture. The pilot issued a “Mayday” call just 650 feet above ground. “It was a full emergency,” Sinha revealed. Air Traffic Control (ATC) tried to respond. Silence followed. Within a minute, the plane was gone. Preliminary reports point to engine failure or flap issues. Experts whisper of a possible bird strike—Gujarat reported 462 such incidents in five years. The black box, now in safe hands, holds the key to this mystery.
A Lone Survivor’s Miracle
Amid the wreckage, a flicker of hope emerged. Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national, survived. Seated at 11A near an emergency exit, he was thrown clear. “When I woke, bodies were all around me,” he told the Hindustan Times, his words trembling. Doctors at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital call his survival a miracle. Yet, for families of the 241 passengers lost, the pain is unbearable. Many, like Maithili’s mother, wait in agony, clutching DNA samples, praying for closure.
Nation Mourns, Leaders Act
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site on June 13. He met injured survivors, his presence a balm for a wounded city. Home Minister Amit Shah joined Naidu in Ahmedabad, ensuring aid for victims’ families. The government has ordered safety checks on Air India’s entire Boeing 787 fleet. “We stand with those who’ve lost loved ones,” Naidu said, his voice cracking. The tragedy has sparked calls for stricter aviation norms. A 2023 study by the International Civil Aviation Organization flagged India’s airports as high-risk for bird strikes—a warning now haunting the nation.