Moments after the Air India plane crashed, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the aircraft departed from runway 23 at 1:39 PM IST. Moments after takeoff, the cockpit issued a “Mayday” distress call, an internationally recognised emergency signal indicating a life-threatening situation.
However, thereafter no response was given by the aircraft to the calls made by ATC, aviation regulator DGCA said in a statement.
The Air India flight AI171, was operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, and crashed minutes after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, had 242 people onboard, including 230 passengers, two pilots, and 10 cabin crew members.
A 17-second video circulating online captures the horrifying moment the aircraft went down in flames, releasing thick black smoke visible from far beyond the airport’s perimeter.
Visuals Show Fireball, Thick Smoke as Rescue Efforts Begin
Footage from the crash site showed the jet engulfed in fire after impact, with residential structures in the Meghani area appearing damaged. There has been no official confirmation of casualties or survivors as of yet.
ALSO READ: Air India flight to London crashes after take-off from Ahmedabad, 242 onboard
Air India confirmed the incident via a statement on X (formerly Twitter): “Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on [airindia.com](http://airindia.com) and on our X handle.”
This devastating crash marks a dark day for India’s civil aviation sector, raising questions around communication protocols and emergency responsiveness at one of Gujarat’s busiest airports. Investigations are ongoing, and emergency response teams remain at the site.
