Air India plane crash: Aircraft dropped from 650 feet within a minute; key takeaways from first official briefing
PTC Web Desk: In its first official briefing since the tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday revealed that the aircraft had climbed to just 650 feet before it began to descend rapidly, ultimately crashing into a medical hostel complex within one minute of takeoff.
Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha shared critical details of the incident, while Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu addressed the broader implications and emotional toll of the disaster, which has shaken the nation.
Aircraft reached 650 feet before losing altitude
According to Secretary Sinha, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.38 pm on June 12. Within moments, the aircraft climbed to an altitude of 650 feet before it started descending abnormally.
“After reaching a height of 650 feet, the aircraft began to lose altitude. The pilot issued a Mayday call to Air Traffic Control (ATC) at 1.39 pm,” Sinha stated.
Soon after the distress call, ATC lost all contact with the aircraft. Exactly one minute after takeoff, the aircraft crashed into a hostel complex at the BJ Medical College in the Meghaninagar area, located roughly 2 km from the airport.
No technical trouble on earlier legs of the flight
Sinha clarified that the aircraft had earlier completed its journey from Paris to Delhi and then to Ahmedabad without reporting any mechanical or operational issues. The crash occurred during the Ahmedabad-London leg of the flight.
Civil Aviation Minister offers condolences, shares personal grief
Also present at the briefing, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophic incident. “The tragedy near the Ahmedabad airport has shaken the entire nation. My heartfelt condolences go to the families who have lost their loved ones,” Kinjarapu said.
“I have also lost my father in a road accident, so I can relate to the grief and anguish these families are going through.”
Inspections ordered for Air India’s entire Dreamliner fleet
In response to the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an immediate inspection campaign for all Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in India. The Civil Aviation Minister confirmed that of the 34 Dreamliners operated in the country, eight have already undergone safety inspections.
The Tragedy: Timeline and passenger details
Flight AI171, operated by Air India and bound for London, had 242 persons on board, including 12 crew members. Tragically, only one person survived.
Passenger nationality details include:
169 Indians
53 British nationals
7 Portuguese citizens
1 Canadian
12 crew members
The crash site at BJ Medical College also suffered significant structural damage, and emergency teams have confirmed multiple casualties among residents in the complex.
Preliminary expert insights suggest power loss
While the investigation is still in its early stages, aviation experts have pointed to the aircraft's flight profile — descending despite a nose-up attitude — as potentially indicative of a sudden and severe loss of power. However, they caution that definitive conclusions can only be drawn after a full analysis of the black box and flight data recorder.
Investigation underway: Report expected in 3 months
A high-level investigative committee has been formed to determine the cause of the crash. The Ministry has assured that a comprehensive report will be submitted within three months, and findings will be made public in the interest of transparency and aviation safety.
This is the worst aviation disaster in India in recent years and has raised urgent questions about aircraft safety protocols, emergency response, and regulatory oversight.
- With inputs from agencies
