New Delhi: Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, accompanied by Minister of State Shri Murlidhar Mohol, Secretary MoCA Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, and other senior officials, today addressed a press briefing at Udaan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The briefing provided a comprehensive update on the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171, outlining the Government of India’s immediate response, the status of ongoing investigations, and future reforms aimed at significantly strengthening aviation safety across the nation.
The briefing commenced with a solemn one-minute silence observed in memory of all those who lost their lives in the devastating incident.
Incident Details and Immediate Response
Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating the Ahmedabad to Gatwick Airport (London) route, crashed within one minute of take-off on June 12, 2025. The crash occurred in the densely populated Meghani Nagar locality of Ahmedabad, approximately 2 km from the airport. The flight was carrying 242 individuals: 230 passengers, 2 pilots (Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and First Officer Clive Sundar), and 10 crew members. Tragically, 241 of the 242 individuals on board perished, along with over 20 people in the medical college complex where the plane crashed. One person survived the crash.
Secretary MoCA Shri Sinha detailed the harrowing final moments of the flight. At 1:39 PM, the pilot issued a “Mayday” call, indicating a full emergency, shortly after the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 650 feet and began to lose height. Air Traffic Control (ATC) lost contact with the plane almost immediately, and the crash occurred exactly one minute later. The aircraft had completed its Paris-Delhi-Ahmedabad sector without any prior incident.
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the crash site and Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, interacting with the injured and bereaved families and reviewing rescue and relief efforts. Home Minister Shri Amit Shah also arrived at the site to personally review the situation and directed central agencies to provide all necessary support.
To assist the affected families, multiple helplines have been made operational:
- Ahmedabad Airport Emergency Helpline: 9974111327
- MoCA Control Room: 011-24610843 / 9650391859
- Air India Passenger Helpline: 1800-5691-444
The Tata Group, owners of Air India, has announced compensation of ₹1 crore for the family of each deceased passenger. DNA testing is underway to identify victims for dignified repatriation.
Status of Investigations
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), specifically formed to investigate aviation incidents, was immediately mobilized. A critical development in the investigation is the recovery of the flight data recorder (FDR) – commonly known as the black box – at approximately 5 PM on June 13, 2025, from the crash site. The AAIB team believes that decoding the black box will provide crucial in-depth insight into the events leading up to and during the crash. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is also being actively sought.
In a significant move, the government has constituted a high-level, multi-disciplinary committee, headed by the Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. This committee has been given a strict deadline of three months to submit its report. Its mandate includes:
- Examining the causes leading to the crash.
- Assessing contributing factors such as mechanical failure, human error, weather conditions, and regulatory compliance.
- Reviewing existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines.
- Formulating comprehensive guidelines and suitable SOPs to prevent similar occurrences in the future, incorporating best international practices.
- Assessing the emergency response of various stakeholders, including rescue operations and inter-agency coordination.
The committee will have access to all relevant records, including flight data, cockpit voice recordings, aircraft maintenance logs, ATC logs, and witness testimonies. It will also conduct site inspections and interview crew, air traffic controllers, and other relevant personnel, collaborating with international agencies where necessary.
Future Reforms and Safety Measures
In response to the tragic incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered extended surveillance and technical inspections of all Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in India’s fleet. India currently operates 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. As of today, eight of these aircraft have already undergone inspection, with the remaining to be examined with “immediate urgency.”
Minister Shri Naidu emphasized India’s strict safety standards and robust aviation safety framework, acknowledging that while the country has stringent protocols, the incident highlights the need for even deeper scrutiny, particularly for the Boeing 787 series. He expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring the highest levels of aviation safety and supporting the affected families through this difficult time.