Asger Risom
The fatal crash occurred moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad, with over 240 people on board.
A routine international flight turned into disaster on Thursday as an Air India plane bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff.
As investigators begin to piece together what went wrong, early indications suggest a catastrophic failure occurred within seconds of liftoff.
Brief Emergency Call Before Silence
The Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner departed Ahmedabad’s runway 23 at 13:39 local time, carrying 242 passengers and crew.
Just seconds later, pilots issued a distress call — a single word: “Mayday.” Air traffic controllers attempted to follow up, but no further communication was received.
According to HotNews, the aircraft’s transponder ceased transmitting shortly after takeoff. The plane ultimately crashed into a civilian area near the airport.
Visual Evidence Points to Sudden Explosion
Eyewitness video shared by Indian media shows the aircraft climbing above residential rooftops before vanishing from view, followed by a fiery explosion.
Other footage showed burning debris and plumes of smoke rising above the crash site.
Emergency responders quickly arrived on scene. Images posted online depict charred wreckage, ambulances transporting survivors, and heavy fire containment efforts. Authorities have yet to confirm casualties or survivor counts publicly.
Modern Jet, Tragic Outcome
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, one of the industry’s most advanced long-haul jets. Its use on the Ahmedabad–Gatwick route reflects Air India’s focus on fleet modernization and expanded global service.
This incident is expected to spark a full-scale investigation into potential mechanical failure or procedural error during takeoff. Aviation authorities have not yet provided an official timeline for releasing findings.
