Tragic Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Claims 270 Lives

A tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad has resulted in the loss of 270 lives, prompting a national outpouring of grief. The Civil Aviation Ministry has provided details about the incident, including the flight's emergency call and the subsequent crash. Investigations are underway, with the recovery of the black box expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed deep condolences to the victims' families and highlighted the government's response efforts. This incident has raised significant concerns about aviation safety in the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary | Jun 14, 2025, 14:36 IST

Tragic Plane Crash in Ahmedabad Claims 270 Lives

Overview of the Incident

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has provided updates regarding the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in the loss of 270 lives. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed his condolences to the victims' families and described the incident as a tragedy.

Details of the Flight

According to Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, the ministry received notification around 2 PM on June 12 that a flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, London, had crashed. The aircraft, identified as AI171, was carrying a total of 242 individuals, including 230 passengers, 2 pilots, and 10 crew members.

Flight Path and Emergency Call

The flight took off at 1:39 PM and shortly after reached an altitude of approximately 650 feet before beginning to descend. At 1:39 PM, the pilot declared a Mayday, indicating a critical emergency situation.

Crash Location and Response

Air Traffic Control (ATC) attempted to establish contact with the aircraft but received no response. Exactly one minute later, the plane crashed in Medhaninagar, located about 2 kilometers from the airport. The captain was Sumit Sabharwal, and the first officer was Clive Sundar.

Investigation and Recovery Efforts

Prior to this incident, the aircraft had successfully completed the Paris-Delhi-Ahmedabad route without any issues. Following the crash, the runway was closed at 2:30 PM and reopened for limited flights at 5 PM after all protocols were followed.

Minister's Remarks

Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated, "The past two days have been extremely challenging. The accident near Ahmedabad Airport has shaken the entire nation. I extend my heartfelt condolences to all families who lost loved ones... I personally visited the site to assess what assistance could be provided, reflecting the attitude of the Gujarat government."

Ongoing Investigation

The response teams from various departments were actively working on the ground to conduct rescue operations, extinguish fires, and clear debris to expedite the transfer of bodies to hospitals. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), tasked with investigating aviation incidents, was promptly activated.

Black Box Recovery

A significant update from the ongoing technical investigation by the AAIB is the recovery of the black box around 5 PM. The AAIB team believes that decoding this black box will provide crucial insights into the events leading up to the crash.

Key Points from the Ministry Briefing

Key points from the ministry briefing include:

- The AI171 aircraft lost contact with Ahmedabad Airport's ATC just seconds before the crash.

- The pilot's last communication was a Mayday call.

- A high-level committee has been established to investigate the causes of the accident.

- The black box has been recovered, and further information is awaited from the report.

Social Media Update

#WATCH | #AhmedabadPlaneCrash | Delhi: Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, says "On 12th June around 2PM, we received the information that the plane going from Ahmedabad to Gatwick London had crashed. We immediately got detailed information about this… pic.twitter.com/AtrriJeCQn
— News Media (@NewsMedia) June 14, 2025

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