13.06.2025 11:00

A devastating tragedy unfolded in western India on Thursday when an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route to London's Gatwick Airport, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of nearly all lives onboard. This marked not only the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but also the deadliest air disaster in recent years, leaving a nation in mourning.

The ill-fated aircraft, a popular twin-aisle jet frequently used for long-haul flights, first took to the skies in December 2013 before joining Air India's fleet in January 2014, according to data from Cirium, an aviation data firm. At the time of the incident, Air India operated 34 of these Dreamliners, with plans to expand its fleet with at least 20 more, highlighting the widespread use of this aircraft model. Globally, over 1,100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners are currently in service.

Flightradar24 data indicates the plane's transponder signal vanished at approximately 1:38 p.m. local time, barely a minute after departing Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. While reaching a maximum altitude of 625 feet, significantly higher than the airport's elevation of around 200 feet, the aircraft inexplicably lost altitude rapidly before crashing into a residential area, igniting a devastating fire. While only one survivor has been reported, local media outlets have also reported additional fatalities on the ground. The precise cause of the crash remains under investigation; however, such incidents are often attributed to a complex interplay of factors, ranging from mechanical malfunctions and wildlife strikes to pilot error. A thorough investigation is underway to determine the root causes of this horrific event.