The world is reeling from the horrifying Air India crash of 2025 that claimed 241 lives in one of the deadliest air disasters since 9/11.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, flight AI 171, had barely lifted off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport when the unthinkable happened. Just 11 seconds after takeoff, Captain Sumeet Sabharwal issued a desperate mayday, warning, “Mayday… no thrust, losing power, unable to lift.” Moments later, the aircraft nosedived and exploded into a fireball after crashing into a doctors’ hostel in a densely populated area.
For 17 agonizing seconds, the two experienced pilots fought to control the aircraft. But the plane, carrying 232 passengers and 10 crew members, plummeted to just 625 feet of altitude before crashing and killing almost everyone on board and many on the ground.
Tragically, only one passenger survived, 40-year-old British father Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, making him the lone miracle amid scorched metal and broken lives.
The aircraft was headed for London Gatwick and carried a heartbreaking mix of nationalities: 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese citizens, and one Canadian. Early flight tracking data showed the Dreamliner lost contact with air traffic control seconds into the flight, sparking immediate panic.
The crash has shattered families across the globe. Among the British victims were 36-year-old recruitment consultant Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa, 30, and their 4-year-old daughter Sara from Gloucester. Local community groups expressed deep sorrow and support, calling the loss “devastating.”
Also onboard was 55-year-old Raxa Modha from Wellingborough, along with her two-year-old grandson, Rudra. Their deaths hit their hometown hard, with the mayor offering words of unity and condolences.
Other victims include Adnan Master, 30, from Forest Hill, London, returning alone from visiting family, and hotel manager Javed Ali Syed, who died with his wife, Mariam, and children, Amani and Zayn. Sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi were also confirmed dead. Dhir, a fashion student, had recently been in Paris before their final journey to Ahmedabad.
As investigations continue, international aviation attorney Robert A. Clifford, known for his work in the Ethiopian Boeing 737 MAX crash, urged the Indian government to swiftly analyze flight data and cockpit voice recordings. He cited eyewitness accounts and video evidence that suggest catastrophic power or flight control failure right after takeoff.
Horrifying CCTV footage of the crash has since surfaced, showing the aircraft lift briefly before dipping fatally. The full force of the crash, combined with the populated location, led to a death toll surpassing 290.
Indian officials confirmed the aircraft exploded upon impact, decimating a residential zone. Police on the scene have struggled to identify victims due to the scale of the fireball and debris.
In an eerie twist of fate, one woman shared that she missed the flight by just 10 minutes due to traffic, likely saving her life. Meanwhile, a family posted a final smiling selfie from onboard the doomed flight, making the tragedy all the more gut-wrenching.
The crash has sparked fresh concerns around Boeing’s Dreamliner model. With haunting echoes of previous crashes and mounting questions about aircraft reliability, public confidence has been shaken yet again.
As the world mourns, there’s hope that full answers will come soon. For now, one voice, the pilot’s panicked final mayday, rings loudest, capturing the sheer terror of those final seconds in the sky.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
