A horrifying video has emerged showing the final moments of an Air India passenger plane before it crashed in Ahmedabad, India. The footage, verified by CBS News, depicts the aircraft descending rapidly over the city before disappearing behind buildings, followed by a massive explosion and a towering fireball. The incident occurred just minutes after the plane, flight AI171, took off from Ahmedabad Airport en route to London’s Gatwick Airport. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 passengers and crew members.
Reports indicate that one passenger, a British national of Indian origin, miraculously survived the crash and is currently receiving medical treatment. Sadly, there were also casualties reported on the ground near the crash site, including at a nearby medical college. The scale of the tragedy is still unfolding as emergency responders and investigators work at the scene.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau of India is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. They are being assisted by a U.S. team from the National Transportation Safety Board. Preliminary data from Flight Radar suggests the plane lost signal less than a minute after takeoff, reaching only about 625 feet before its catastrophic descent. The crash occurred approximately five minutes after the plane’s departure, according to the head of India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Experts have pointed to several potential factors. Former NTSB Chair Robert Sumwalt noted that the plane appeared to have its landing gear down and flaps up—the opposite of what should have been the case. Aviation consultant John M. Cox highlighted the extensive flight data monitoring capabilities of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, emphasizing the wealth of information contained within the flight data recorder that will be crucial to understanding what happened.
This incident marks the first crash of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, according to Boeing’s own safety data. The investigation is expected to be thorough and comprehensive, aiming to determine the exact sequence of events leading to this devastating accident and to ensure such a tragedy is prevented in the future. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by this heartbreaking event.
