In a chilling aviation tragedy that has sent shockwaves across the nation, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, slamming into a residential doctors’ hostel in Meghani Nagar. Among the 242 passengers and crew on board was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, throwing the country into a state of collective anxiety and disbelief.
Eyewitnesses describe the terrifying sequence, just minutes after lifting off, the aircraft appeared to lose altitude rapidly. It veered dangerously low over buildings before erupting into a massive fireball upon impact. Within seconds, thick black smoke engulfed the crash site, and flames tore through the building, leaving rescue workers scrambling to save lives.
As of the latest reports, over 30 bodies have been recovered, with dozens feared trapped under the rubble. The condition of Vijay Rupani remains unclear, though his name has been confirmed on the official passenger manifest. Speculation is rife, and a wave of concern has swept through Gujarat’s political circles and beyond.
This crash is not only one of India’s deadliest in recent memory – it is the first major fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner in the country. Once hailed as a technological marvel in aviation, the Dreamliner is now at the center of a national investigation, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), and Boeing all launching parallel inquiries.
Emergency response was swift but overwhelmed. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, fire services, and police rushed to the crash site, battling intense heat, structural collapse, and emotional chaos. Hospitals across Ahmedabad are on high alert, with beds reserved for survivors, if any can still be pulled from the ruins.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that communication was lost within seconds of takeoff, suggesting a catastrophic technical failure. The exact cause will take days – perhaps weeks – to determine, but the preliminary horror points to something gone terribly wrong in the early climb phase.
The incident has sparked political and public uproar, especially with a high-profile figure like Rupani involved. Elected twice as Gujarat’s CM and a seasoned BJP leader, Rupani’s presence on the flight has added both urgency and intensity to the unfolding tragedy. His party colleagues, including current CM Bhupendra Patel, expressed “deep anguish” and are in touch with Air India and central authorities for real-time updates.
Meanwhile, Air India has issued a brief statement confirming the crash and expressing condolences, while setting up emergency helplines and activating crisis management protocols. The airline’s London operations remain suspended, and all Dreamliner aircraft in its fleet are now under urgent inspection.
For India’s aviation sector, still recovering from the haunting memories of the 2020 Kozhikode crash, this incident is another painful reminder: when safety fails, the skies offer no second chances.
As the nation waits with bated breath for news of survivors—and clarity on Vijay Rupani’s fate – the mangled wreckage of Flight AI171 lies smoldering as a tragic testament to how fast lives can change at 30,000 feet.
