On June 12, 2025, the aviation world was shaken by a tragic incident involving Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad, India, to London Gatwick. The flight, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed just moments after takeoff, marking the first fatal accident involving this advanced aircraft model since its introduction in 2011. The disaster claimed the lives of 241 individuals, with only one survivor, leaving investigators, experts, and the public grappling for answers. As rescue operations continue and the wreckage is analyzed, early reviews of crash video footage by aviation experts have begun to shed light on the potential causes of this catastrophic event.
The incident unfolded shortly after the plane departed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m. local time. According to initial reports, the aircraft struggled to gain altitude, reaching a maximum height of approximately 625 feet before losing communication and plummeting into a residential area known as Meghani Nagar. The crash resulted in a massive explosion, with the plane slamming into a hostel building used by medical students and doctors, causing additional casualties on the ground. The sole survivor, a British national of Indian origin, was pulled from the wreckage and is currently receiving medical treatment, though the full extent of the ground toll remains unclear.
Video footage captured by CCTV and shared across social media has become a critical piece of evidence in understanding the sequence of events. The footage shows the Dreamliner lifting off the runway but failing to achieve a proper climb, a detail that has sparked intense scrutiny among aviation analysts. One prominent observation is the aircraft’s landing gear, which appeared to remain extended rather than being retracted shortly after takeoff, as is standard procedure to improve aerodynamics. Experts suggest this could indicate a configuration error or a mechanical issue that prevented the gear from retracting, potentially compromising the plane’s ability to ascend.
Another focal point in the video analysis is the position of the wing flaps. Flaps are essential for generating the lift needed during takeoff, and several analysts have noted that they may not have been properly deployed. The aircraft’s shallow climb angle and subsequent descent suggest that it lacked the necessary lift, possibly due to an incorrect flap setting. Some speculate this could point to human error, such as a failure to follow pre-takeoff checklists, though the experienced captain, with over 8,200 hours of flight time, makes this less likely. Others propose that a sudden malfunction or system failure might have overridden standard procedures, a theory that will require further investigation.
The timing of the crash—within 30 seconds of takeoff—has also raised questions about the pilot’s ability to respond. The flight crew issued a mayday call to air traffic control, indicating an emergency, but the rapid descent left little opportunity for corrective action. Some experts suggest a double engine failure could be to blame, a rare but devastating scenario that might have been exacerbated by the plane’s low altitude. Others point to the possibility of a bird strike, given Ahmedabad’s reputation for frequent bird activity near the airport, which could have damaged both engines simultaneously. The absence of visible smoke or flames from the engines in the footage, however, leaves this theory open to debate.
The Boeing 787-8 involved in the crash was 11.5 years old, delivered to Air India in 2014, and had accumulated over 41,000 flight hours. Known for its fuel efficiency and advanced technology, the Dreamliner had an impeccable safety record until this incident, making the crash particularly perplexing. Aviation professionals emphasize that such accidents typically result from a combination of factors rather than a single failure, and the investigation will likely focus on the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder—commonly referred to as the black boxes—to piece together the sequence of events. One of these devices has reportedly been recovered, offering hope for a clearer picture in the coming days.
The human toll of the disaster extends beyond the passengers and crew, with reports indicating that the crash impacted a densely populated area, killing or injuring people on the ground. Emergency responders have been working tirelessly to manage the scene, while grieving families provide DNA samples to identify the victims. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site, expressing his condolences and pledging support for those affected. The international community, including the United States and the United Kingdom, has offered assistance, with teams from the National Transportation Safety Board and other agencies joining the Indian investigation.
As the inquiry unfolds, the aviation industry faces renewed scrutiny, particularly regarding Boeing, which has been under pressure following previous safety concerns with other aircraft models. For Air India, already in the midst of a corporate overhaul since its privatization in 2022, this tragedy poses a significant challenge to its efforts to rebuild its reputation. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, the initial video analysis by experts highlights critical questions about aircraft configuration, pilot response, and potential mechanical failures. The coming weeks will be crucial as investigators work to determine the exact cause and prevent future disasters, ensuring that the lessons from Flight 171 lead to safer skies.
