The Aviation Minister will address the media at 1:30 PM as the Centre forms a high-level panel to investigate the Air India crash.
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Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad: Investigation Updates, Black Box Recovery, and Compensation Details.
On June 12, 2025, Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragic incident occurred in the densely populated Meghaninagar area, near the airport, when the aircraft struck a hostel building at B J Medical College, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life. This blog provides the latest updates on the investigation, black box recovery, and compensation announced for the victims.
The Crash: What Happened?
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, carrying 242 passengers and crew, crashed just minutes after departing Ahmedabad at 1:39 PM IST on June 12, 2025. The flight, bound for London Gatwick, included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Among the deceased was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, aged 68, who was traveling to meet his daughter in London. The aircraft plummeted into the residential quarters of B J Medical College, causing a massive fireball and thick plumes of black smoke visible for miles. Only one passenger, British national Vishwashkumar Ramesh, survived and is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The crash claimed 241 lives onboard and at least 33 lives on the ground, including four medical students, doctors, hospital staff, and local residents, bringing the total death toll to 274 as of June 14, 2025.
Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Investigation Updates
The Indian government has taken swift action to investigate the crash, which marks the first fatal incident involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner since its commercial debut in 2011. Key developments include:
- High-Level Panel Formed: The central government has established a high-level multi-disciplinary committee, headed by the Union Home Secretary, to probe the causes of the crash. The panel will examine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and recommend comprehensive guidelines to prevent future incidents. A final report is expected within three months.
- Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB): The AAIB, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is leading the investigation in accordance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) protocols. Teams from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), UK investigators, and Boeing are assisting.
- National Investigation Agency (NIA): An NIA team, along with other central agencies, visited the crash site on June 13, 2025, to support the investigation.
- Possible Causes: Experts suggest potential causes include engine failure, flap issues, or a bird strike, given Ahmedabad airport’s history of 38 bird strikes in 2022–23. However, a bird strike affecting both engines is considered rare. The investigation is focusing on engine performance, flap settings, and landing gear, with no confirmation yet on the exact cause. A Mayday call was issued by the cockpit shortly after takeoff, indicating imminent danger.
Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Black Box Recovery
- Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR): One of the two black boxes, the DFDR, was recovered from the rooftop of the B J Medical College hostel mess building within 28 hours of the crash on June 13, 2025. This device records critical flight data such as airspeed, altitude, engine performance, and control inputs, which will aid in reconstructing the flight’s final moments.
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): The search for the second black box, the CVR, located in the aircraft’s front section, is ongoing. The CVR captures pilot conversations and cockpit sounds, which are crucial for understanding the crew’s actions and any unusual noises before the crash.
- Analysis Facility: The recovered DFDR is likely being analyzed at India’s state-of-the-art DFDR and CVR Laboratory in Delhi, inaugurated earlier in 2025. This facility enables faster data extraction without the need to send black boxes abroad, enhancing the investigation’s efficiency.
Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Compensation and Support
- Tata Group Compensation: The Tata Group, which owns Air India, has announced ₹1 crore for the families of each victim, including the 33 individuals killed on the ground. The group will also cover medical expenses for the injured, with approximately 45–50 students and others receiving treatment at Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital, some in critical condition. Tata has committed to supporting the reconstruction of the damaged B J Medical College hostel.
- Montreal Convention: Under the Montreal Convention treaty, Air India is liable to pay approximately ₹1.5–1.8 crore per deceased passenger, totaling over ₹377 crore for passengers alone. Crew compensation may fall under separate workers’ compensation laws or insurance policies. Families may seek higher compensation if negligence is proven in court. The convention also mandates advance payments of at least 16,000 SDRs (≈₹18 lakh) per passenger for immediate financial needs.
- Total Liability: The estimated total compensation for passengers and crew could exceed ₹412 crore, with an additional ₹360 crore for ground victims and other liabilities. The aircraft, valued at $125–175 million (₹1,040–1,450 crore), was insured, but ground damage liability may fall under domestic tort law.
- Assistance Centers: Air India has set up assistance centers at Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Gatwick airports, along with a dedicated hotline (1800 5691 444 for India, +91 8062779200 for international callers) to support victims’ families. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has activated an Operational Control Room (011-24610843, 9650391859).
Air India Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Impact and Response
- Ground Casualties and Injuries: The crash devastated the Meghaninagar area, particularly the B J Medical College hostel, killing at least 33 people on the ground, including medical students and hospital staff. Over 60 students were injured, with four in critical condition. DNA testing is being used to identify charred remains, a process that may delay body releases.
- Airport Operations: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was temporarily closed but resumed partial operations on June 12, 2025, at 16:05 IST, with strict adherence to flight safety protocols.
- Official Visits: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and Civil Hospital on June 13, 2025, meeting the sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, and expressing condolences. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also visited to oversee relief efforts.
- Public and International Response: The crash has drawn global attention, with condolences from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Canadian High Commission, and others. The tragedy has raised concerns about aviation safety, with former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel urging Tata Group to address maintenance and operational issues.
Sole Survivor’s Account
Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin seated in 11A, miraculously survived. He described the plane struggling to gain altitude after takeoff, followed by a loud bang and a crash. Ramesh escaped through a broken emergency exit door, sustaining burns and other injuries. He expressed disbelief at surviving while witnessing the deaths of crew and passengers.
Aviation Safety Measures
- Boeing 787 Fleet Checks: India’s aviation regulator has ordered additional safety and maintenance checks on Air India’s Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 fleet, including one-time takeoff parameter checks starting midnight on June 15, 2025. Discussions about grounding the fleet are underway, though no final decision has been confirmed.
- Historical Context: The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, operational since 2011, had a clean safety record until this crash. The aircraft, delivered to Air India in 2014, had completed over 700 flights in the past year. The investigation will scrutinize maintenance records, given Air India’s history of maintenance challenges post its 2022 acquisition by Tata Group.
The Air India Flight AI-171 crash is one of India’s worst aviation disasters, claiming 274 lives and leaving a profound impact on the nation. The recovery of the DFDR marks a critical step in uncovering the cause, with the ongoing search for the CVR expected to provide further clarity. The Tata Group’s commitment to compensation and medical support, alongside the government’s high-level investigation, reflects a concerted effort to address the tragedy and enhance aviation safety. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families, the injured, and the affected communities.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from various news sources and publicly available data. The accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed, as investigations are ongoing. Readers are advised to refer to reliable sources for further details.
Sources: The Indian Express, The Hindu, Times of India, India Today
