Asger Risom
The deadliest aviation disaster in a decade has left India reeling. As investigators sift through wreckage and stories of loss emerge, the crash of an Air India Dreamliner raises urgent questions about safety and accountability.
The deadliest aviation disaster in a decade has left India reeling. As investigators sift through wreckage and stories of loss emerge, the crash of an Air India Dreamliner raises urgent questions about safety and accountability.
A Tragic Takeoff
Seconds after lifting off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed, killing all but one of the 242 people on board. It is the deadliest aviation disaster in over a decade.
Impact on the Ground
The aircraft slammed into a nearby medical college hostel, killing at least 30 people on the ground. Wreckage pierced the building, while steel tumblers and untouched meals told a grim story of lives cut short.
Who Was on Board?
Among the passengers were 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, alongside 12 crew members. The sole survivor, 40-year-old Viswashkumar Ramesh, was seated near an emergency exit.
Investigators at Work
Authorities are examining engine thrust issues, flap deployment, and landing gear position. The flight data recorders have been retrieved, and U.S. officials from Boeing and the FAA have joined the probe.
Scrutiny of Air India
India’s aviation regulator is reviewing Air India’s pilot training logs and recent maintenance reports. Though no major faults were found in the fleet, the watchdog has called for tighter regulatory adherence.
Personal Tragedies
Heartbreaking stories continue to surface. A father who had just buried his own dad is now being laid to rest. A hostel cook searches for his missing toddler, praying for another miracle.
A Wake-Up Call for the Airline
Air India Chair N. Chandrasekaran urged staff to treat the tragedy as a catalyst for reform. Boeing leadership has visited India, and another Dreamliner recently returned mid-flight due to technical issues.