On June 12, 2025, India witnessed one of its worst aviation disasters in recent history when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner (VT-ANB) crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick. The horrifying accident resulted in the death of 260 people, including residents of the area and almost all passengers on board, except one.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the tragedy, including official investigation updates, airline responses, and crucial facts released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB).
What Happened on June 12, 2025?
- Air India Flight AI 117, operated by a nearly 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, took off from Ahmedabad airport at around 9:45 AM, heading for London Gatwick.
- Within minutes, the aircraft lost altitude and crashed into the residential quarters of BJ Medical College, a densely populated area.
- On board were 242 individuals, including 12 crew members. Tragically, only one passenger survived — Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national seated at ’11A’, next to an emergency exit.
- The death toll rose to 260, including those on the ground.
This incident marked the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which until then had a spotless record in terms of hull loss due to crashes.
Immediate Response and Government Action
- On June 13, the AAIB (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) initiated an investigation. A multi-disciplinary team was formed, including experts in aviation safety, flight operations, and structural engineering.
- Simultaneously, a high-level committee led by the Union Home Secretary was constituted to examine the deeper causes and recommend robust preventive measures for the future.
Civil Aviation Ministry’s Stand
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, while addressing the media on June 14, assured that:
“All theories — mechanical failure, human error, sabotage — will be thoroughly examined. Nothing will be ruled out until proven.”
Black Box Recovery & Data Extraction
The Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) — together known as the black boxes — were pivotal to the investigation.
- June 13: One black box was found on a building rooftop at the crash site.
- June 16: The second black box was recovered from the debris.
- June 24: Both black boxes were securely transported to the AAIB lab in Delhi via Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.
- June 25: The Crash Protection Module (CPM) and memory modules were successfully accessed. Data was retrieved and is being analyzed.
To ensure transparency and global standards, an observer from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) joined the probe.
‘Safety Pause’ by Air India
In a rare step, Air India initiated a ‘Safety Pause’ — a temporary reduction in its operations — to prioritize safety.
What does the Safety Pause involve?
- 38 international flights per week have been reduced.
- 19 domestic flights cut.
- 3 international routes suspended using both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft.
According to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson:
“This pause was a necessary move to stabilize our flight schedules, perform voluntary aircraft checks, and restore passenger trust.”
DGCA Orders Enhanced Safety Checks
Just a day after the incident, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) ordered detailed inspections of all Air India’s Boeing 787 aircraft. The airline went a step ahead and decided to also inspect its Boeing 777 fleet proactively.
Compensation for Families
- Parent company Tata Sons announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of each deceased individual.
- An interim relief of ₹25 lakh is also being provided by Air India.
- Psychological support teams and counselors have been deployed to assist the families in trauma recovery.
Who Was the Lone Survivor?
Vishwash Kumar Ramesh (45), a British national, survived the crash miraculously. He was seated in 11A, a window seat adjacent to an emergency exit. Experts believe his location and possible use of the exit during the impact might have contributed to his survival.
He is currently recovering at a private hospital in Ahmedabad, under tight security and constant medical supervision.
Impact on Aviation Industry
This tragic incident has stirred a broader discussion on aviation safety protocols, especially involving aging aircraft and dense urban areas around airports.
Boeing’s Dreamliner had long been considered one of the safest aircraft models. This accident, being the first fatal crash and hull loss of the Boeing 787 series, could lead to global reassessments of safety.
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