Air India Confirms 241 Fatalities in Plane Crash; Israel Launches Pre-emptive Strikes on Iran.

Air India confirms 241 out of 242 people died in the crash of AI171, a London-bound flight from Ahmedabad. The sole survivor, a British national, jumped out of an emergency exit. Israel launched "pre-emptive" strikes on Iran amid nuclear tensions. Explosions were heard in Tehran, but reasons were not immediately clear. The causes of the Ahmedabad air crash are being investigated, with experts speculating that overloading, a bird hit, and engine failure could have contributed to the accident.

A catastrophic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India, has resulted in the deaths of 241 out of 242 passengers and crew members on Air India Flight 171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick. The sole survivor, a British national, managed to jump out of an emergency exit before the aircraft crashed into a medical college hostel, sparking a massive fireball [1].

The crash occurred on June 12, 2025, at 1:38 p.m. local time, just seconds after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The plane issued a mayday call before losing contact with air traffic control and descending rapidly, reaching only 625 feet before crashing [1].

The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with multiple international authorities involved. India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the probe, as mandated by the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization’s Annex 13 protocol. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have also deployed teams to assist in the investigation [1].

Boeing, the manufacturer of the aircraft, has pledged full cooperation in the investigation. The U.S. NTSB emphasized that all official updates will come from the Indian government, adhering to international protocols. The U.K. AAIB expressed its commitment to assisting Indian authorities, given that 53 British citizens were among the passengers [1].

Experts are speculating on potential causes of the crash, including overloading, a bird hit, and engine failure. The black boxes, which consist of the flight data recorder and voice recorder, have not yet been recovered. Local police and civil officials are working to identify the deceased, with DNA testing underway due to the intensity of the fire [1].

The crash has prompted an international response, with multiple governments and airlines offering support. London Gatwick Airport has set up hotlines for relatives of the passengers, and Air India has established a dedicated passenger hotline to provide more information [2].

The Air India crash is the first of its kind for the Boeing Dreamliner, according to the company's statistical summary of commercial jet accidents between 1954 and 2024. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner is considered the aviation industry's best-selling passenger widebody of all time, despite previous investigations into the model [2].

The financial implications of the crash are significant, with Air India and Boeing likely to face regulatory scrutiny and potential lawsuits. The airline industry is closely monitoring the investigation, as the safety of its aircraft is a top priority. The crash has also raised questions about the safety of the Boeing Dreamliner and the aviation industry's response to such incidents.

References:
[1] https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/boeing-aircraft-accident-investigation-bureau-india-and-british-authorities-to-probe-ahmedabad-london-plane-crash
[2] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/air-india-plane-crash-what-to-know/