World's Deadliest Airplane Crashes and the Airlines with the Most Accidents
Explore the history of major airplane crashes worldwide and discover which airlines have recorded the highest number of accidents and fatalities to date.
Table of contents [Show]
1. Overview of the Accident
- Date & Time: June 12, 2025, around 13:38 IST
- Flight & Route: Air India AI171, Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner VT‑ANB, from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick
- Occupants: 242 total (230 passengers, 12 crew); one survivor, 241 on board died
- Crash Site: 30 seconds after takeoff, crashed into B. J. Medical College hostel in Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad
- Ground Casualties: At least 28 dead, around 60 injured on ground
2. The Sole Survivor
- Identity: Vishwashkumar (Vishwash) Ramesh, British-Indian, in seat 11A
- Miraculous escape: He reported a loud noise, saw bodies around, managed to walk out through an emergency exit, and was hospitalized
3. Casualties & Victims
- Onboard deaths: 241 fatalities, including Indians, Britons, Portuguese, and one Canadian
- Ground victims: Medical students and staff at the college; substantial building damage during lunch hour
4. Crash Details Captured
- Flight data: climbed to ~625 ft, then steep dive (~475 ft/min) before impact
- Visible anomalies: landing gear still down, flaps mispositioned upon descent
5. Investigation Progress
- Black boxes: FDR and CVR recovered; one damaged but usable
- Agencies involved: India AAIB leads; U.S. NTSB & FAA, plus UK experts, assisting
- Primary probe areas: engine, flaps, landing gear, maintenance history; bird strike ruled unlikely
6. What Might Have Caused It?
- Expert insight: Early signs point to possible engine malfunction or flap/gear configuration issues
- Environmental factors: hot weather, full fuel load might have affected lift
7. Reaction & Aftermath
- Government action: Civil aviation ministry ordered maintenance checks across Air India’s 787 fleet; possible temporary grounding
- Corporate response: Boeing dispatched experts; CEO canceled Paris Air Show plans
- Compensation & support: Air India and Tata Group offering ₹1 crore/£86,000 to families; DNA identification in progress
8. Broader Impact & Context
- First fatal 787 crash since its 2011 debut; affected Boeing’s reputation and stock (~4.8% drop)
- Aviation safety spotlight: Raises vital questions on 787 reliability, maintenance standards, crew procedures, and emergency readiness
9. What’s Next?
- Detailed analysis of black box data – will clarify technical & mechanical factors
- Inspection of similar 787s, especially those with GE GEnx engines
- Ground safety audits at Ahmedabad and other regional airports
- Policy reviews for emergency takeoff procedures, flap/gear verification, fleet-wide maintenance
🕰️ Timeline at a Glance
| Time (IST) | Event |
|---|---|
| June 12, 13:38 | Takeoff from Ahmedabad; mayday call issued |
| ~13:39–13:40 | Crash into hostel block; fireball erupts |
| Next day | Black boxes recovered; investigation launched |
| June 13 | Recovery ongoing; maintenance orders issued |
Air India Flight 171 represents a devastating moment in civil aviation—underscoring the critical importance of thorough maintenance, diligent pre-flight checks, and rapid emergency response. The investigation's findings in the coming weeks will be pivotal in preventing future tragedies and restoring public trust in the Boeing 787.