Why did the Ahmedabad plane crash: Unraveling the mystery behind Flight 171’s horrific end Tragedy struck in the skies over Gujarat on June 12, 2025, when Air India Flight 171 crashed minutes after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The Dreamliner plane, bound for London Gatwick, crashed into a densely populated area, killing 241 people on board and at least 38 on the ground. As investigators delve deeper into the wreckage, questions reverberate across India and beyond: Why did this happen?
The Final Minutes: What we know so far At 13:38 IST, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off under clear skies. Less than 10 minutes later, the pilots issued a mayday call, reporting an engine failure. Eyewitnesses said the plane’s BJ was on the ground. They heard loud explosions and saw smoke billowing from the plane before it crashed into the hostel block of the medical college. The black box recorders have been recovered, and initial data indicate a sudden system failure – possibly mechanical or electrical. Some experts are also exploring whether a bird hit or fuel contamination may have triggered the series of catastrophic malfunctions.
Possible causes being investigated: Engine failure or fire Several witnesses and local CCTV footage indicate explosions in mid-air – consistent with an engine fire or an uncontrollable engine failure. The plane reportedly lost altitude rapidly after the mayday call.
Avionics malfunction The pilots may have lost navigational control or suffered instrumentation blackouts. Some aviation analysts suggest a software failure in the flight management system may have contributed to this. Maintenance or manufacturing defect Despite the plane being relatively new, attention is now shifting to previous maintenance checks and past service records. If a faulty component or overlooked error is found, it could raise questions about maintenance oversight. Fuel quality issues Investigators are analysing samples of the plane’s fuel for possible contamination. Poor fuel quality can affect combustion and engine performance, especially during flight.
Bird strike The Ahmedabad airport is located near an open field, where birds sometimes frequent. A low-altitude strike can devastate the engine, as seen in previous global incidents. One survivor, many questions In a surprising twist, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, a British national sitting near the emergency exit, escaped the wreckage unscathed. His escape is being called a “miracle”, and officials are collecting his first-hand accounts to better understand the timeline of the accident. A ground-level tragedy The crash site was not just a field – it was a hostel full of medical students. At least four students and five family members of the staff of B.J. Medical College were killed instantly. Nearby hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties, and rescue operations continued for hours amid fire and rubble. What happens next? The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India have launched parallel investigations. Boeing has sent engineers and safety experts to assess and assist with potential technical problems in the 787 model. The families are receiving compensation, but many are demanding accountability – not just payouts. Conclusion The crash of Flight 171 has not only destroyed the lives of hundreds of people, but has reignited the global discussion about air safety, aircraft design and emergency preparedness. Until the final report is released, one question remains at the heart of all: How did a modern jetliner, on a clear day, fall out of the sky in a matter of minutes? We owe it to the victims, survivors and future passengers to find that answer – and make sure it never happens again.
