Air India’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Campbell Wilson, visited the site of the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad on Friday to assess the situation and oversee relief measures.
The devastating crash claimed the lives of 241 people, including 12 crew members, aboard the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The aircraft, operating from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, 2025, crashed shortly after take-off, Air India confirmed past midnight on Friday.
In a statement posted on X, Air India said, “The 12-year-old Boeing 787-8 aircraft departed from Ahmedabad at 13:38 IST, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off. We regret to inform you that, of the 242 aboard, there are 241 confirmed fatalities. The sole survivor is being treated in a hospital.”
The lone survivor of the horrific accident is a British national of Indian origin, who is currently receiving medical attention at a local facility.
The passenger list included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The aircraft tragically crashed into a resident doctors’ hostel building adjacent to the airport perimeter minutes after departure.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has initiated a formal probe into the crash as per international aviation protocols. “A comprehensive investigation has been launched in accordance with guidelines set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” Naidu stated.
Piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, a Line Training Captain with 8,200 flying hours, and assisted by First Officer Clive Kundar with 1,100 flying hours, the aircraft made a Mayday distress call shortly after take-off but lost contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC) moments later.
Eyewitnesses and officials reported thick black smoke billowing from the site of the crash, which occurred just outside the airport’s perimeter.
The Tata Group, owner of Air India, has announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹1 crore for the family of each deceased passenger.
CEO Campbell Wilson’s visit to the crash site is part of the airline’s coordinated efforts to manage the aftermath of the disaster, ensure support to the affected families, and assist investigative agencies in determining the cause of the tragedy.