On June 12, Air India Flight AI171 crashed minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad, en route to London Gatwick. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal made a chilling “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” distress call—the highest-level emergency signal—before losing all contact with air traffic control. The aircraft vanished from radar shortly after, crashing into a medical college hostel in Meghani Nagar, killing all 242 on board and several on the ground.

Flight data revealed the plane rose quickly to 625 feet at 174 knots before disappearing. Witness footage shows a steep drop followed by a fiery explosion. The crash left a massive trail of wreckage, with the plane’s tail embedded in a nearby rooftop and flames engulfing the scene.

WATCH: Air India plane carrying 242 people crashes in Ahmedabad while taking off for flight to London pic.twitter.com/KyLVZaV6i7

— BNO News (@BNONews) June 12, 2025

World leaders including Indian PM Modi and UK’s Keir Starmer expressed condolences. Emergency teams, including the Indian Army, rushed to help victims. Air India activated support centers, while Boeing and aviation experts began investigations.

This is the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787. As nations mourn, safety protocols and aircraft design face renewed scrutiny.