Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to London Gatwick. Suddenly the aircraft encountered a emergency. The pilots issued a “Mayday” distress call to air traffic control and, despite the crisis, managed to steer the plane away from densely populated zones. Instead, it crashed into a relatively open patch of land near a medical college hostel—an act aviation experts and locals now believe was a deliberate measure to reduce devastation
A Devastating Toll
The crash claimed 241 lives onboard and at least 28 on the ground—tragically including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani—and left around 50 medical students injured when the plane struck a hostel building adjacent to BJ Medical College. Indeed, more than 50 students were hospitalized, three of whom remain in intensive care. Of the 242 aboard, only one passenger survived—40‑year‑old British‑Indian national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, seated at emergency exit 11A. He is being described as the sole miracle amid a sea of tragedy.
Heroic Pilots at the Helm
Flight AI‑171 was piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Kunder, both seasoned aviators. Captain Sabharwal, 56, had amassed approximately 8,200–8,300 flight hours, while First Officer Kunder had roughly 1,100 hours under his belt. Sabharwal, nearing retirement, was widely respected for his calm professionalism and extensive experience, especially on wide‑body aircraft like the Dreamliner. According to Manmath Routray, a fellow pilot and former colleague, Sabharwal had trained and mentored many aviators, demonstrating composure during even routine and challenging flights alike. Their presence of mind during AI‑171’s final descent—maintaining nose‑up attitude and avoiding crowded zones—suggests the pilots were fighting to control the aircraft to limit a humanitarian catastrophe.
Investigation Underway
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India is leading the investigation, supported by teams from the UK’s AAIB and the U.S. NTSB. A crucial breakthrough occurred on June 13, when the aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders—the “black boxes”—were recovered, offering hope that the technical sequence leading to the disaster can be fully reconstructed. Authorities have confirmed the aircraft underwent its last comprehensive “C” maintenance check in June 2023 and was due for another in December 2025. Officials are examining whether a sudden technical failure prompted the pilots’ distress call only seconds after takeoff.
A Nation in Mourning
With at least 47 victims identified through DNA testing so far—and around 25 bodies returned to families—the scale of grief remains staggering. Authorities in Gujarat have set up grief‑support teams, simplified death‑certificate protocols, and mobilized relief efforts to assist affected families. Aeronautical experts caution against premature theories and insist investigations rely on data and evidence. Meanwhile, airline officials express hope that the preservation of critical flight components will soon shed light on the chain of events.
In Summary
Heroic landing zone: Pilots appear to have deliberately diverted onto open land near a medical hostel to avoid increasing casualties in denser areas . Devastating losses: Of 242 people onboard, 241 died; one passenger survived. Many were injured on the ground as well. Veteran crew: Captain Sabharwal and First Officer Kunder, with over 9,300 cumulative flight hours, managed a composed response under extreme duress.
Next steps: With black boxes retrieved and maintenance records reviewed, investigators aim to pinpoint the cause. Authorities are supporting families and ensuring clear protocols going forward.
Conclusion
This incident stands as a somber testament to the crew’s courage—and to the devastating power of aviation disasters. Though unimaginable in its scale, the pilots’ decisive actions may well have spared countless more from harm.
